Battle of Little Bighorn

Definition

The Battle of Little Bighorn, fought on June 25-26, 1876, was a significant conflict between the United States Army and Native American tribes, primarily the Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne. This battle is often viewed as a major resistance movement against U.S. government policies and military actions that aimed to confine Native Americans to reservations and limit their way of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The battle was a result of growing tensions between Native American tribes and the U.S. government over land rights and hunting grounds, particularly after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills.
2. Custer led his forces into battle with an estimated 600 men but faced a combined force of approximately 2,000 Native American warriors, leading to a devastating defeat for the U.S. Army.
3. The Battle of Little Bighorn is sometimes referred to as 'Custer's Last Stand' due to Custer's death and the overwhelming defeat suffered by his troops.
4. This battle was part of a larger series of conflicts known as the Great Sioux War, which involved multiple engagements between U.S. forces and Native American tribes over the same issues.
5. The aftermath of the battle led to increased military campaigns against Native Americans and ultimately resulted in their forced relocation to reservations.

Review Questions

• How did the events leading up to the Battle of Little Bighorn reflect early resistance movements among Native Americans?
  • The events leading up to the Battle of Little Bighorn were marked by significant resistance from Native American tribes against U.S. government policies that aimed to confine them to reservations and exploit their lands. Tensions escalated following the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, which was sacred to the Lakota Sioux. Their refusal to sell the land or move to reservations exemplified their determination to resist U.S. encroachment, culminating in a large-scale conflict that represented a pivotal moment in Native American resistance.
• Evaluate the strategic mistakes made by Custer during the Battle of Little Bighorn and their impact on the outcome.
  • Custer made several strategic errors during the Battle of Little Bighorn, including underestimating the number of Native American warriors he faced and dividing his forces for an attack without proper reconnaissance. These decisions left his troops vulnerable and ill-prepared against a much larger and united force of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. The result was a quick and devastating defeat that not only marked a significant moment in U.S.-Native American relations but also highlighted flaws in military strategy during that era.
• Assess how the Battle of Little Bighorn influenced U.S. policy towards Native Americans in the years following the conflict.
  • The Battle of Little Bighorn had profound effects on U.S. policy towards Native Americans in its aftermath. Initially celebrated as a victory for Native tribes, it sparked outrage among many Americans who demanded revenge for Custer's defeat. This led to intensified military campaigns against Native Americans, resulting in more aggressive efforts to confine tribes to reservations and suppress their resistance. The battle thus played a crucial role in shaping U.S. policy, further entrenching the government's objective to assimilate Native peoples and erase their cultural identities.

Related terms

George Armstrong Custer: A United States Army officer who led the 7th Cavalry during the Battle of Little Bighorn and was famously killed in action along with most of his troops.

Lakota Sioux: A Native American tribe that played a central role in the Battle of Little Bighorn, known for their resistance against U.S. expansion into their territories.

Reservations: Designated areas of land where Native American tribes were forced to live, often resulting in the loss of their traditional lands and ways of life.