Background
The Siege at wounded Knee was brought on by much hatred by the Oglala Sioux Indians toward the Federal Governmant for the hanous massacre that occured in 1890. Along with this crime against the Indians they felt betrayed by the government for disregaurding the treaty in which the Black Hills would be given to the Lakota Nation. These Indians were instead forced onto the Pine Ridge Reservation. Inside Pine Ridge there was internal conflict within the Lakota Nation. During the mid-1900's the Tribe was dividing into the traditional Indian Nations and a new more progressive Indians. This tension finnaly came to a climax In February 1973.
When and Where?
The Wounded Knee Seige took place February 27, 1973 in Wounded Knee, South Dakota, when members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) seiged the town of Wounded Knee that had been under federal control since the resevation of the Indians.
Leaders of the Protest
The Wounded Knee Siege was led by the American Indian Movement, created by inner-city Indians inspired by the Black Panthers, infiltrated the Pine Ridge Reservation and started to form groups of pro-Indian rights. AIM fired up the Indians and encourage a retaliation for the atrocities of the Federal Governments actions.
Purpose of the Siege
The Indians sieged Wounded Knee in anticipation to regain right they had lost and to be compensated for the broken treaty and travisties the Federal Government had commited.
71 Days of Fighting
The siege at Wounded Knee started on February 27 and ended on May 7 1973. During the siege the government on March 26 kicked out the media, that night they fired 20,000 rounds into the Indian in-campment, wounding a dozen Indian protestors. Negotiations began the next day but fell apart on April 5. On April 17 and 26 two Indians were shot by Federal troops. On May 4 the White House announced they would enter peace talks if the AIM members would lay down their arms. Over the next three nights the Indians conceeded and returned to the reservation.
Success or Failure?
The protest was largely successful with the Federal Government conceeding to many of the demands by the American Indian Movement. The Indians also gained more heretal pride and gained respect and support from the American population.
Big Picture
The Wounded Knee Siege fits in with the other social changes and protest occuring at the time. The AIM was greatly influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, especially the Black Panthers. The Siege also demonstrates the montra that the baby boomer generation had that they could change the world.
Bibliography
rwor.org
usmarshals.gov
souixme.com
usmarshals.gov
souixme.com
