1. The Battle of the Little Big Horn

2. 1868 Lakota leaders agreed to Fort Laramie Treaty
created a large reservation in the western half of present day South Dakota.
give up nomadic life- led to conflict with other tribes, settlers, and railroad surveys Agreeing to the treaty meant accepting a more stationary life, and relying on government supplied subsidies
accept more stationary life and rely on government supplied subsidies
Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse rejected reservations
many roving bands of hunters and warriors did not sign treaty

3. 1874 Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer
Lackluster cadet and poor student at West Point
July 1861, placed in command of a cavalry unit as a second lieutenant
“Custer’s Luck”
Custer was ordered to make an exploration of the Black Hills inside Great Sioux Reservation
map the area, locate suitable site for military post, natural resources
gold discovered
invasion of miners and entrepreneurs to Black Hills
direct violation of the Fort Laramie Treaty
The U.S. negotiated with the Lakota to purchase the Black Hills
rejected by Lakota.
Winter 1875, Commissioner of Indian Affairs issued ultimatum requiring all Sioux to report to a reservation by January 31, 1876
No response

4. 1876 General Philip Sheridan
commander of the Military Division of the Missouri
strategy sending several thousand troops to engage “hostile” Natives- force return to Great Sioux Reservation.
March, 1876, Montana column (450) commanded by Colonel John Gibbon, marched out of Fort Ellis (Bozeman, Montana)
May 1876, second force (1,000) commanded by General George Crook, from Fort Fetterman (central Wyoming)
third force (879) commanded by General Alfred Terry, marched from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Bismarck, Dakota Territory
bulk of this force was the 7th Cavalry, commanded by Custer.

5. June 1876
General Terry detached 7th Cavalry to make a wide flanking march and approach the Indians from the east and south; scout for enemies
Custer given scouting report that cavalry’s presence was detected
Believed element of surprise was gone
June 25, 1876, Custer didn’t wait on reinforcements; him and 600 men entered the Little Bighorn Valley
Roughly warriors
Custer’s battalion of 210 quickly subdued within an hour

6. Outcomes momentary victory for Natives
General Sheridan put more troops in the field; increased efforts to subdue Indians
hunting grounds were invaded by the Army
confine the Lakota and Cheyenne to reservations
"hostiles" surrendered within one year of the battle
Black Hills were taken by the U.S. without compensation
Within five years, nearly all Sioux and Cheyenne would be in reservations