What was the Ghost Dance?
A) A religious ritual that was supposed to lead to the destruction of whites and the return of the buffalo.
B) A ritual performed by the Paiutes in an effort to contact their great spirit leaders for guidance.
C) A signal that Native Americans of the Great Plains had resigned themselves to white domination.
D) A ritual that the Sioux men performed as they were preparing for battle against white Americans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Ghost Dance was a religious ritual that originated in the late 19th century among several Native American tribes, including the Sioux. Its followers believed that performing the dance would help to hasten the return of the buffalo herds and the spirits of the dead, leading to the destruction of whites and the restoration of traditional ways of life. The Ghost Dance was seen as a threat by white authorities, who feared that it could spark a Native American uprising. The massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 occurred in part because of fears about the spread of the Ghost Dance movement.

What Was the Ghost Dance