Wounded Knee Massacre

Definition

The Wounded Knee Massacre of 29 December 1890 was the slaughter of over 250 Native Americans, mostly of the Miniconjou people of the Lakota Sioux nation, by the US military at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota. Although the US government defined the event as a "battle", most of the Native Americans were ill, unarmed, and women and children.

More about: Wounded Knee Massacre

Timeline

  • 1869 - c. 1872
    Paiute Prophet Wodziwob preaches the vision of the Ghost Dance.
  • 1889
    The Ghost Dance movement gains adherents; Sitting Bull supports but does not participate.
  • 1889
    Paiute Prophet Wovoka starts to popularize the vision of the Ghost Dance.
  • 1889 - 1890
    Many Plains Indian nations embrace the Ghost Dance; US authorities interpret this as prelude to war.
  • c. 1890 - c. 1914
    The Ghost Dance continues to be practiced by Plains Indians Nations.
  • 15 Dec 1890
    Sitting Bull is killed while allegedly resisting arrest at Standing Rock Agency Reservation.
  • 29 Dec 1890
    Wounded Knee Massacre triggered by tensions surrounding The Ghost Dance.
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