Texas A&M University (TAMU) HIST106 Practice Exam 1

The Ghost Dance Movement, initiated by Wovoka, aimed primarily to reunite the living with the spirits of the dead and to restore the Native American way of life. Wovoka, a Northern Paiute prophet, conveyed a vision that a dance performed by Native Americans could bring about the return of deceased ancestors and the removal of white settlers from their lands, allowing for the revitalization of Native cultures and traditions. This act of communion was seen as a way to connect spiritually with those who had passed and to foster hope for a better future free from oppression.

In this context, the movement was deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs and customs of various Native American tribes, focusing on healing and a return to traditional values rather than conflict or assimilation into Western cultural norms. The dance itself became a symbol of resistance to the ongoing colonization and loss of Indigenous identity, but it was not inherently about promoting violence or conflict.