Battle of the Little Bighorn

The Battle of the Little Bighorn saw Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry completely overwhelmed by the combined forces of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, illustrating the catastrophic consequences of underestimating Native American strength and unity. Custer's strategy, which divided his forces to attack simultaneously, ultimately backfired as they were met with fierce resistance from skilled Native American war chiefs, most notably Crazy Horse and Gall, leading to a devastating defeat. Despite the victory for Native forces, widespread calls for revenge against Custer's death overshadowed their triumph.

Custer's operational plan during the battle was rooted in an aggressive pursuit of victory that sought to capture Native women and children as hostages, revealing a harsh approach against indigenous peoples. His decision to split his command, echoing tactics used during the Washita Massacre, not only underestimated the size of Sitting Bull's camp but also led to his forces being individually isolated and overwhelmed when faced with coordinated attacks from the united Native American tribes.

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