What was the Ghost Dance movement associated with?

The Ghost Dance movement was primarily a spiritual revival among Native American tribes that emerged in the late 19th century. It was rooted in the belief that through the Ghost Dance, Native Americans could reconnect with their ancestral traditions and bring about a restoration of their way of life. This movement was largely inspired by the visions of a Paiute prophet named Wovoka, who taught that by performing the dance, Native Americans could hasten the arrival of a paradise in which their tribes would be united, dead ancestors resurrected, and the influence of white settlers would be eliminated.

The dance held significant cultural and spiritual meaning, representing hope during a time of tremendous upheaval for Native Americans, who were facing loss of land, forced assimilation, and diminishing populations due to disease and conflict. The convergence of spiritual belief and social action made the Ghost Dance a powerful expression of Native American resilience and a response to colonial oppression.

In contrast, other options do not capture the essence of the Ghost Dance. The movement was not a call for violent uprising against settlers; rather, it was a nonviolent expression of faith and hope. It was certainly not an educational reform initiative or a treaty negotiation process, as its focus was on spiritual revival rather than structural changes in education or direct negotiations