Uprising. Conflict. Rebellion.
Outbreak. War.
While known by many names, the result was no different. By the time it was over, the country would never be the same-and everyone had lost. When the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota went to war in the summer of 1862, the conflict it sparked and the ultimate end to that war wasn't really a surprise. Cultural clashes, corruption, resistance to change and America's sense of Manifest Destiny had long before written the end of the drama to unfold. In 1862, there were those who wanted war-and those that wanted peace. This conflict spawned cruelty and intolerance, but also compassion and reasoned if vain pleas for mercy and peace. This is the canvas with which we are presented with our groups approach to the events of that summer of 1862. One which does, and should contain so many more shades than simple black and white. Human history is rarely, if ever so simple.
This was a conflict that pitted traditionalists versus innovators; settlement versus the existance of a culture; and the unyeilding, unstoppable power of expansion and change. In this war Dakota farmers, white settlers, and Dakota seeking to maintain a traditional way of life would all die togther. Desperation, hatred, fear, ignorance, intolerance, and ambition fueled a conflict in which the only result was that PEOPLE died. It is for this reason that the events of 1862 are so important to be explored and studied. Only by understanding the reasons for this war in which everyone lost, can we all as Americans win.
Our group offers varying viewpoints during our Dakota Conflict events; with the attempt to realistically portray the varying mentalities that existed in Minnesota during those violent days. We offer below a group of links to other sites which help to explore the many opinions and viewpoints regarding this conflict, which remains (understandably) a charged issue even to this day. We hope that you will explore these links, and in doing so better understand why this war was such a tragedy for all involved.
(Simply click the image below each listing)
Minnesota's Un-Civil War, a program by MPR.
Minnesota Historical Society Library: Dakota War of 1862(Conflict).
An overview of the Dakota Conflict of 1862.
Memorials and Monuments of the Dakota Conflict.
Dakota Exile, A TPT Production from their archive.
The Dakota Conflict Trials of 1862.
Fort Abercrombie, and the Conflict of 1862.
Fort Ridgely, and the Conflict of 1862.
Mahkato Wacipi Club 1862 Conflict page and links
The account of Private Orlando McFall, Co. C 5th Minn Vol. Inftry
(His account of the events of the Battle of Fort Ridgely)
Suggested Reading:
By: Kenneth Carley
By: Gary Clayton Anderson & Alan R. Woolworth, eds.
By: Gary Clayton Anderson
Outbreak. War.
While known by many names, the result was no different. By the time it was over, the country would never be the same-and everyone had lost. When the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota went to war in the summer of 1862, the conflict it sparked and the ultimate end to that war wasn't really a surprise. Cultural clashes, corruption, resistance to change and America's sense of Manifest Destiny had long before written the end of the drama to unfold. In 1862, there were those who wanted war-and those that wanted peace. This conflict spawned cruelty and intolerance, but also compassion and reasoned if vain pleas for mercy and peace. This is the canvas with which we are presented with our groups approach to the events of that summer of 1862. One which does, and should contain so many more shades than simple black and white. Human history is rarely, if ever so simple.
This was a conflict that pitted traditionalists versus innovators; settlement versus the existance of a culture; and the unyeilding, unstoppable power of expansion and change. In this war Dakota farmers, white settlers, and Dakota seeking to maintain a traditional way of life would all die togther. Desperation, hatred, fear, ignorance, intolerance, and ambition fueled a conflict in which the only result was that PEOPLE died. It is for this reason that the events of 1862 are so important to be explored and studied. Only by understanding the reasons for this war in which everyone lost, can we all as Americans win.
Our group offers varying viewpoints during our Dakota Conflict events; with the attempt to realistically portray the varying mentalities that existed in Minnesota during those violent days. We offer below a group of links to other sites which help to explore the many opinions and viewpoints regarding this conflict, which remains (understandably) a charged issue even to this day. We hope that you will explore these links, and in doing so better understand why this war was such a tragedy for all involved.
(Simply click the image below each listing)
Minnesota's Un-Civil War, a program by MPR.
Minnesota Historical Society Library: Dakota War of 1862(Conflict).
An overview of the Dakota Conflict of 1862.
Memorials and Monuments of the Dakota Conflict.
Dakota Exile, A TPT Production from their archive.
The Dakota Conflict Trials of 1862.
Fort Abercrombie, and the Conflict of 1862.
Fort Ridgely, and the Conflict of 1862.
Mahkato Wacipi Club 1862 Conflict page and links
The account of Private Orlando McFall, Co. C 5th Minn Vol. Inftry
(His account of the events of the Battle of Fort Ridgely)
Suggested Reading:
By: Kenneth Carley
By: Gary Clayton Anderson & Alan R. Woolworth, eds.
By: Gary Clayton Anderson
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