key term - Ghost Dance Movement

Definition

The Ghost Dance Movement was a spiritual and cultural revival among Native American tribes in the late 19th century, particularly during the 1880s and 1890s. It aimed to restore indigenous ways of life and bring about a future where Native Americans would live in peace, free from the influence of European settlers. This movement emerged as a response to the oppressive policies of the U.S. government and the devastating effects of colonization on indigenous peoples.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Ghost Dance Movement was characterized by a series of ritual dances that were believed to reunite the living with the spirits of ancestors and the dead.
2. Wovoka's vision included a prophecy that if Native Americans performed the Ghost Dance, they would bring about the return of bison herds, the resurrection of deceased ancestors, and the end of white dominance.
3. The movement gained popularity among various tribes, including the Lakota Sioux, who saw it as a means to regain their cultural identity and resist assimilation.
4. The U.S. government viewed the Ghost Dance Movement as a threat, leading to increased military presence and ultimately culminating in the tragic massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890.
5. The Ghost Dance Movement is significant because it represents indigenous resilience and response to colonial oppression, illustrating how Native Americans sought to reclaim their culture and spiritual practices.

Review Questions

• How did the Ghost Dance Movement reflect indigenous responses to colonial oppression in the late 19th century?
  • The Ghost Dance Movement was a direct response to the widespread suffering and cultural disruption experienced by Native American tribes due to colonial oppression. It reflected a yearning for spiritual renewal and an assertion of cultural identity amid the pressures to assimilate into European-American society. By engaging in this movement, tribes sought not only to reconnect with their ancestors but also to assert their resistance against U.S. policies that marginalized their communities.
• What role did Wovoka play in the Ghost Dance Movement, and how did his teachings influence its spread among various tribes?
  • Wovoka was pivotal to the Ghost Dance Movement as he claimed to have received a divine vision that promised hope for Native Americans facing oppression. His teachings emphasized spiritual renewal and communal unity through ritual dances. This resonated deeply with many tribes who felt disempowered by U.S. policies, leading them to adopt the Ghost Dance as a means of expressing their cultural identity and solidarity against colonization.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Ghost Dance Movement on Native American communities and their interactions with U.S. government policies.
  • The Ghost Dance Movement had lasting impacts on Native American communities, highlighting their struggles for cultural survival and autonomy in the face of oppressive U.S. policies. Although it culminated tragically at Wounded Knee, this movement galvanized many tribes, fostering a renewed sense of identity and resistance that influenced subsequent generations. The narrative surrounding the Ghost Dance continues to serve as an emblem of indigenous resilience and resistance against assimilation, shaping how Native Americans advocate for their rights today.

Related terms

Wovoka: A Northern Paiute religious leader who inspired the Ghost Dance Movement by claiming to have received a vision that promised the restoration of Native American lands and a return to traditional ways of life.

Indian Reservation: Areas of land designated by the U.S. government for Native American tribes, often resulting in loss of traditional lands and autonomy due to forced relocation.

Custer's Last Stand: The 1876 battle where General George Custer and his troops were defeated by a coalition of Native American forces, symbolizing resistance against U.S. expansion into indigenous territories.