What was the Sioux uprising?
The Sioux uprising was a rebellion staged by Sioux tribes in southwestern Minnesota in August and September 1862. They were protesting the decision of the U.S. government to force the Sioux to give up half their reservation lands (territory set aside by the government, where Native Americans were required to live). Crop failures worsened the situation. In addition, the Sioux had no money because the government was still debating whether to make payments it owed to Native American nations for reservation land. The Sioux therefore could not buy food, yet the U.S. agent at the Sioux reservation refused to provide food to them until funds arrived from Washington, D.C. The Sioux were hungry and angry. White observers could see trouble coming and warned the government. Conflict erupted in August when four young Native American men were having a shooting contest, and they suddenly fired into a party of…
