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The Dakota Conflict. The Dakota Conflict, often referred to as the Dakota War, The Great Souix Uprising, or The Sioux Uprising, was an armed conflict occuring in the state of Minnesota from August through December of 1862. The conflict began with four Dakota boys killing five whites in the Minneosta town of Acton, and ended with the hanging of 39 Native AMericans in Mankaota, Minnesota on December 26th, 1862.

Causes The causes of the struggle can be traced back to the Treaty of Traverse de Sioux and Mendota of 1851. Along with other treaties signed during the 1850s, these agreements would leave the Dakota of Minnesota with just a 10-mile wide strip of land along the Minnesota River. Here the Dakota remained in contact with white settlers. According to Northern Lights: The stories of Minnesota's Past: White people lived and worked among the Dakota, trying to convince them to give up their traditionsl ways. These whites made inroads among some of the Dakota, but many Dakota resented these attempts as well as thier fellow Dakota who partook in them. The result was a division into two groups: Traditional Dakota (those who resisted this change) and Farm Dakota (those who chose to live on small plots, farm, and cut their hair). During the conflict many Farm Dakota would assist the whites instead of their fellow Dakotas.

The Upper Sioux Agency The Federal Government had agreed to make annual payments to the Dakota as part of the Treaty of Travers de Sioux in 1851. As part of the treaty traders would recieve thier payments before the money would reach Dakota hands. This system allowed the Dakota to purchase food and items before their annual payments actually arrived. As often happened, the payment was late in 1862. This time, partly due to the traders fears that the Civil War's strain on the Federal Government may prevent its ability to pay the annual payment, traders refused to advance the Dakota any inventory. During a meeting at the Upper Sioux Agency during the crisis, the Indian Agent Andrew Myrick stated indignantly "So far as I'm concerned, if they are hungry let them eat grass or their own dung!".

Incident in Acton, Minnesota Four Dakota boys were looking for eggs in a white settlers hen house. The boys were attacked and chased away by the white owner, but the boys returned and murdered her. Once this news was relayed among the Dakota, the Traditional Dakota, fearing an offensive by whites, urged a preemptive strike against the white settlers. Arguments in favor of a strike included the fact that the Civil War made any armed struggle more advantageous to the Dakota now than any other foreseeable time, as well as the current destitution of the Dakota community due to lack of food.

Little Crow The Chief of the Dakota in Minnesota was named Teonayatehuda, or Little Crow. Little Crow was opposed to any armed struggle with the whites, stating that: When Little Crow was called a coward by younger Dakota he relented and vowed to fight and die with his people.