Historical Background of Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore began being built in 1927. But, before that, the place had a different meaning. It was important to the Lakota Sioux people, who called it “Six Grandfathers Mountain.” They used it for prayer and other special things.
In 1868, there was a treaty between the Sioux and the United States government. This treaty said that the Black Hills, where Mount Rushmore is, would only belong to the Sioux. It promised that this place would be theirs. However, later on, when gold was found in the Black Hills, a lot of people came looking for it. The U.S. army also came, saying they were there to “protect” the gold hunters. After some time, they forced the Sioux off their land. This broke the promise made in the Treaty of Fort Laramie and led to Mount Rushmore becoming a U.S. national memorial. However, the discovery of gold in the area led to an influx of white prospectors and military intervention, eventually driving the Sioux from their land and setting the stage for the transformation of Six Grandfathers Mountain into a U.S. national memorial.
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a colossal sculpture located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA. This iconic monument, with its 60-foot-tall representations of four U.S. presidents, has a rich history that dates back to its construction in 1927. But before it became a symbol of American patriotism, the Black Hills held deep significance for the Lakota Sioux people. Known as Tunkasila Sakpe Paha or Six Grandfathers Mountain, this granite formation was a sacred site for the Sioux, used for prayer and devotion. We will discuss more about Mount Rushmore in this article.
Table of Content
- Historical Background of Mount Rushmore
- Gold Rush and Conflict with Mount Rushmore
- Symbolism and Significance of Mount Rushmore
- Tourism and Legacy of Mount Rushmore
- Controversies and Indigenous Perspectives of Mount Rushmore