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Effects

 

The Sioux Uprising brought on many different effects on the land, the people and many other things. Another thing that had a major effect was the treaty.

 

In 1851 on July 23, the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was created. It was made by two bands of Dakota; it was to sell the U.S. land of the southwestern portions of the MN Territory for a total of $1.665 million to be paid by cash and annuities.

 

A second treaty was made by two other bands of Dakota. This was to sell the U.S. land in the southeastern portions of the MN Territory, for a total of $1.41 million. This also to be paid by cash and annuities.

 

In the summer of 1851, 7,000 Dakota were moved. They went to two reservations that bordered the MN River in the southwestern portion of MN. In 1858, the Dakota sold additional land on the north bank of the MN River. This then reduced the size of the reservation.

 

In August of 1862, annuity payments were late. Rumors had been going around that if the payments were even made they would not be made in the customary gold, because of the ongoing Civil war. The Dakota then planned to demand that the payments be paid directly to them, not to go through the traders. When the traders heard of the plan they refused to sell provisions on credit, even though there was a widespread hunger problem. One of the traders was believed to have said, “So far as I am concerned, if they are hungry, let them eat grass.”

 

The treaty had a major effect on the uprising, when the war broke out the trader that made that comment was one of the first to be killed and when he was found he had a mouth full of grass.

 

Another major effect from the war was the loss of many lives. In the 37 days that the war went on for it claimed the lives of over 500 Americans and about 60 Dakota. Then there was also the execution of the 38 Sioux Indians.

 

The land was also greatly affected by the war. In the town of New Ulm, when the second attack was made, the majority of the buildings in the town had been burned. There are now monuments in New Ulm in remark to the war.

 

The town of New Ulm celebrates the uprising with a parade. In 1912, there was a huge celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the uprising. In the week of August 19-25 there had never been so many people in the town as there was that week. It was estimated that there had been about 15,000 people present during the weekdays. The town had decorated Minnesota Street from beginning to end. They had four large shields that had the names of the commanders, officers, and prominent men of the various companies. At the celebration they have many reunions for different things. Such as a reunion for the Methodists, who had their church burnt down 50 years before that. They have many reception dinners also. And of course, they have the parade.

 

* A picture of the celebration button is on our home page.   

 

 

              


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