The Six Week War in Minnesota

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Between 400 and 1,000 white people died in the Six Week War. Governor Ramsey: "The Sioux Indians of Minnesota must be exterminated or driven forever beyond the borders of the state" The 1700 Dakota civilians were marched 150 miles down the Minnesota River to their destination near St. Paul. In towns along the way, white people attacked them with rocks, clubs, and knives.

Growing up in Mankato, Minnesota, John Biewen heard next to nothing about the town’s most important historical event. In 1862, Mankato was the site of the largest mass execution in U.S. history – the hanging of 38 Dakota warriors – following one of the major wars between Plains Indians and settlers. In this documentary, originally produced for This American Life, John goes back to Minnesota to explore what happened, and why Minnesotans didn’t talk about it afterwards.

Image: The Minnesota State Seal, 1858

Key sources for this episode:

Gwen Westerman, Mni Sota MakoceMary Wingerd, North Country: The Making of Minnesota