In December of 1890, Chief Big Foot and his followers of the Sioux nation were massacred at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. The Sioux had formally controlled the region but once troops began to take over the Sioux found themselves confined to reservations and dependant on Indian Agents for their survival. Some Sioux had attempted to run for their freedom, more specifically the Miniconjou Sioux led by Chief Sitting Bull. However, once Sitting Bull was killed the Miniconjou joined the Hunkpapa Sioux who were led by Chief Big Foot. After hearing what had happened to Chief Sitting Bull, Chief Big Foot wanted to lead his people to pine Ridge Reservation where they could be protected. The Soldiers intercepted the journey and drove the Sioux to the bank of Wounded Knee Creek. There troopers of the seventh cavalry used their new machine guns, which fired a shell a second, to massacre the Sioux. It is debatable whether the Sioux fired the first shot because they were upset about leaving their homes, but the Indians weren’t looking for a fight they were trying to avoid one. This massacre ended the Ghost Dance Religion and was the last conflict of the Indian Wars.
Get more info at: http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/knee.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment