“By the summer of 1862 Minnesota had changed dramatically since it gained statehood in 1858. In 1849 the Minnesota Territory’s non- American Indian population was approximately 4,680. By 1860 it had grown to 172,023. Many of these newcomers were immigrants from Europe and after the 1851 treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota, approximately 24 million acres of land became available for purchase. Thousands of newcomers set up farms and communities on this land. Minnesota’s Dakota population lived primarily on a reservation along the Minnesota River which was created as a result of the 1851 treaties. The reservation was approximately 150 miles long and stretched 10 miles on either side of the Minnesota River. In 1858 the northern half was ceded to the U.S. government and became part of the new state of Minnesota. By 1862 divisions had grown within the Dakota community between people who had adopted European-American farming and Christianity and those who sought to maintain their traditional way of life. Further tensions grew as a result of food shortages on the reservation. Droughts and pests damaged crops, a harsh winter in 1861-1862 prevented many Dakota from being able to hunt, and annual annuity payments from the U.S. government were delayed. Some traders at the agencies refused to extend credit to the Dakota until they had cash to pay their debts. By mid-summer many Dakota families were hungry.”

Comment on this page