Battle of Little Bighorn | Daily Bellringer

Summary

The video explores the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, fought on June 25, 1876, in Montana. The battle was part of the Great Sioux War, sparked by U.S. settlers encroaching on Native American lands after the discovery of gold. Despite a treaty, tensions escalated, leading to a clash between the U.S. Army, led by Lt. Col. Custer, and Native American forces under Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. Though the Native Americans won the battle, it ultimately intensified efforts to force them onto reservations.

Takeaways

• 📅 The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand or the Battle of Greasy Grass, occurred on June 25th, 1876 near the Little Bighorn River in Montana.
• 🤝 The battle was part of the Great Sioux War or Black Hills War, a conflict sparked by U.S. settlers moving into Native American territories after gold was discovered in the Black Hills in 1874.
• 📜 The Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) had established the Great Sioux Reservation, but the discovery of gold led to the treaty being ignored, causing tension between the U.S. government and Native American leaders.
• 💰 Native American leaders traveled to Washington D.C. in 1875 to request that President Ulysses S. Grant honor the treaty, but they were instead offered $25,000 for their land, an offer they refused.
• ⚠️ The U.S. government issued an ultimatum to Native Americans in the region, demanding they relocate by January 31, 1876, or face military action, which set the stage for the conflict.
• 👑 Native American leaders like Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse resisted the U.S. demands, and by spring 1876, thousands of Sioux and Cheyenne established a camp near the Little Bighorn River.
• ⚔️ On June 17, 1876, U.S. troops attempted an assault on the Native American camp but were pushed back at the Battle of Rosebud, surprising them with the size of the Native American force.
• 🚩 Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry, a group of over 600 soldiers, to scout and assess the size of the Native American camp, despite warnings of being outnumbered.
• 🔥 On June 25, 1876, Custer's forces attacked, but Native American forces, estimated between 1,100 to 2,500 warriors, quickly overwhelmed and defeated them. Custer and 262 soldiers were killed.
• 📉 Despite winning the battle, Native Americans suffered long-term losses as outrage in the eastern U.S. led to increased military pressure, eventually forcing the Sioux and Cheyenne onto reservations.

Q & A

What is the Battle of Little Bighorn also known as?

The Battle of Little Bighorn is also known as the Battle of Greasy Grass or Custer's Last Stand.

When and where did the Battle of Little Bighorn take place?

The Battle of Little Bighorn took place on June 25th, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in what is today south central Montana.

What was the Treaty of Fort Laramie and how did it relate to the Great Sioux War?

The Treaty of Fort Laramie was signed in 1868 between the U.S. government and leaders of the Lakota and Cheyenne, establishing the Great Sioux Reservation and stating that no white men could enter the territory except for government officials on official business. The encroachment of settlers and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to the Great Sioux War or Black Hills War.

Why was the Black Hills area significant to Native Americans?

The Black Hills were a sacred area to Native Americans in the region, but the discovery of gold in 1874 led to a rush of Americans moving into the area, ignoring the Treaty of Fort Laramie.

What was the U.S. government's response to Native American leaders' refusal to sign a new treaty?

The U.S. government made a proclamation to Native Americans in the region telling them to move by January 31st, 1876, or face possible military action.

Who were some of the Native American leaders that resisted the U.S. forces during the Battle of Little Bighorn?

Native American leaders such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse began to lead resistance against the U.S. forces.

What was the size of the Native American force at the Battle of Little Bighorn?

Estimates are that the Native American forces numbered somewhere between 1100 to 2500 warriors.

Who commanded the Seventh U.S. Cavalry during the Battle of Little Bighorn?

The Seventh U.S. Cavalry, which numbered just over 600 soldiers, was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Little Bighorn in terms of casualties?

In the battle, 262 U.S. soldiers were killed, including Custer himself, and 55 were wounded. Native American forces suffered only about 31 warriors killed.

How did the Eastern newspapers portray the Battle of Little Bighorn?

Newspapers in the East reported the battle as a massacre and attempted to portray the Native American forces as bloodthirsty warriors.

What was the long-term impact of the Battle of Little Bighorn on Native Americans?

Despite the Native American victory at Little Bighorn, the battle led to increased efforts by the U.S. armed forces and government to push Native Americans back, resulting in the forced relocation of almost all Cheyenne and Sioux onto reservations by the mid-1880s.