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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.