The term references a significant armed conflict between the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes and the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. It occurred on June 25, 1876, near the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. The event is also known as Custer’s Last Stand, named after Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who, along with his entire immediate command of over 260 men, was killed in the battle. This event is often a key topic within the Advanced Placement United States History curriculum.
This battle is important because it represents a pivotal moment in the history of conflict between the U.S. government and Native American tribes during the westward expansion era. The stunning defeat of Custer’s forces by a significantly larger Native American force temporarily halted the U.S. Army’s campaign against the tribes and intensified public debate over federal Indian policy. It became a symbol of Native American resistance but ultimately led to increased government efforts to subdue Native American populations and confine them to reservations.
