The Plains Sioux and U.S. Colonialism from Lewis and Clark to Wounded Knee

Cambridge Studies in North American Indian History

by Jeffrey Ostler

Through the interpretive lens of colonial theory, Jeffrey Ostler presents an original analysis of the tumultuous relationship between the Plains Sioux and the United States in the 1800s. He provides novel insights on well-known aspects of the Sioux story, such as the Oregon Trail, the deaths of "Crazy Horse" and "Sitting Bull", and the Ghost Dance, and offers an in-depth look at many lesser-known facets of Sioux history and culture. Paying close attention to Sioux perspectives of their history, the book demonstrates how the Sioux creatively responded to the challenges of U.S. expansion and domination, revealing simultaneously how U.S. power increasingly limited the autonomy of their communities as the century came to a close. Ostler's innovative analysis of the Plains Sioux culminates in a compelling reinterpretation of the events that led to the Wounded Knee massacre of December 29, 1890. History Department Head at the University of Oregon, Associate Professor Jeffrey Ostler has held honors such as the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship and has published articles in Western Historical Quarterly, Great Plains Quarterly, and Pacific Historical Review.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Native American History, Class, Native American

406 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2004

About the author

Jeffrey Ostler is Beekman Professor of Northwest and Pacific History at the University of Oregon.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

By a professor in my department. Brilliant treatment of the Sioux that finally treats them like actual people instead of passive victims, who reacted creatively, courageously, sometimes stupidly, but always humanly in the face of overwhelming opposition. Native American history the way it should be written.

[Grub Street Hack · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an already crowded field, Jeffrey Ostler’s The Plains Sioux and U.S. Colonialism makes its mark by portraying the history of the Sioux during the nineteenth century as a colonial struggle, adding that “Americans have often been reluctant to acknowledge imperialism and colonialism in their history” (3). Although recognizing that “Indians were historical agents,” Ostler criticizes historians who “minimize the vast imbalance of power between Native peoples and Europeans” (4-5). He rejects the false dichotomy of writing a history that focuses either on the agency the Sioux, or on the domination and genocide of Indians by the U.S., and instead attempts to accomplish both. In this nuanced portrayal, Ostler illustrates that conflicting ideas and factionalism were present among both Indians and Americans.

]The Plains Sioux’s is a revisionist history, placing more importance on diplomacy and politics rather than on military actions. The book is structured in three parts. The first is titled “Conquest,” and it portrays the Sioux’s attempts at fending off the U.S. through warfare and diplomacy. Ostler effectively connects U.S. expansionism to an ideology of civilization and liberty centered around land-holding citizens. He also illustrates the importance of the policy of assimilation, which “resolved the contradiction between a commitment to dispossession with its implication of genocide on the one hand, and Enlightenment and Christian principles of the common humanity of all people on the other” (15). Ostler shows that the U.S. could not control the Sioux militarily, resorting to diplomacy to obtain its goals. Nevertheless, Ostler concludes the first part by painting the mid-1870s as “years of deeply painful transition” for the Plains Sioux. The second part, entitled “Colonialism,” describes the efforts of cultural assimilation that included boarding schools, harsh economic realities, suppression of the Sun Dance, control over political leaders, and the enormous loss of land.

The final part, entitled “Anticolonialism and the State,” offers several valuable insights. Most importantly, Ostler defines the influential Ghost Dance as an anticolonial movement. In contrast to scholars like Robert Utley, He argues against the notion that the Sioux altered the peaceful practice into a militant activity, instead claiming that this idea was crafted by the U.S. army in order to justify its military suppression of the Sioux Ghost dance. Instead, Ostler asserts that the Sioux’s “predictions of a cataclysmic event that would destroy or remove European Americans were entirely consistent with the Paiute prophet’s” (261). Ostler also contributes to our understanding of the massacre at Wounded Knee by describing General Nelson Miles’ orders to disarm Big Foot’s people as a pivotal moment, arguing that those orders were unnecessary, as Big Foot’s people were peacefully headed towards Pine Ridge reservation. In short, although many factors contributed to Wounded Knee, Ostler places most of the blame with Miles. Finally, Ostler contends that “Wounded Knee was a serious setback to the army’s goal of gaining control over the ghost dancers” (356). Afterwards, many Indians left the reservation, joined the Ghost Dancers, and raided US supplies.

The portrayal of U.S.-Indian relations in colonial terms is a logical step that needed to be taken. However, with some notable exceptions, Ostler does little to connect his evidence to this framework. It feels as if colonialism was added as an afterthought rather than the central thesis. Ostler would benefit from additional readings on theories of empire and colonialism.

[Chad Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history is decent, but the title is too woke.

[Sapphire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the 6 books I had to read for my college level history class (American Encounters from 1850), this was by far my favorite. It was well written and held my attention despite it being outside of my chosen genre. I'm thinking of gifting this to my dad who has an interest in Native American history and culture.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.
I have to say though that makes it really hard for me to swallow all the abuse and injustices Native Americans went through.

A must read.

[Alexander Geronzin · Rating 4 out of 5]

good source of general knowledge concerning the Sioux Native Americans. does not branch into Dakota Lakota and nakota though.

[Lucie Fornasiero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Great (tragic) history- very educational and engaging.