Week 2
The Battle of Little Big Horn was such a devastating and important loss for the American government during an era where they were very much in power. On the other hand, it was a tremendous victory for the Lakota people, and it was a statement against the American government. It was a sign to all native nations that the American government wasn’t as strong as perceived by many. As we learned in class during the week it started in 1861 with “The Treaty of Fort Laramie”. While learning in class I was wondering what could have been in the land of the Lakota people that the government wanted other than just the land and then I thought of course the government would spill all of that blood for something as materialistic as gold. This treaty was meant to be a despective way to try to have the Lakota people sign over their land, however, it was an ignorant decision by the American government to think that the Lakota people wouldn’t understand what their intentions were even with the odd addition of resources in hopes to sweeten the deal. I think it’s just the American way to think if we can’t buy something then we’ll take it, which is exactly what they did to the Black Hills territory. I believe that this battle was the spark that ignited the fire that was the Native Resistance in the West. I can’t imagine what else would have happened if this battle hadn’t been won by the Lakota people, what would have happened to the Black Hills, and what it meant to the Lakota nation. It’s interesting and kinda inspiring to think that the battle wasn’t just lost because Custer had overestimated his opponents but by the joining of different tribes making a very well-thought-out and impressive battle plan. I think that it’s sad that this battle is seen by the masses as a great and heroic last stand from Custer and his soldiers, even though many native Americans also lost their lives. I guess it’s just another example of America twisting its history with native peoples and fantasizing about history to better its image. Most importantly I think that this victory was the statement of that time and it shocked America and gave a great start to native resistance as a whole.