What was the significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn in U.S. history?

The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, is significant in U.S. history because it represented a major victory for Native Americans. On June 25-26, 1876, a coalition of Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors decisively defeated the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, led by General George Armstrong Custer. This battle was a crucial moment in the Great Sioux War of 1876, where Native American tribes were resisting encroachment on their territories by settlers and the U.S. government.

The victory at Little Bighorn was emblematic of Native American resistance to westward expansion and highlighted the tensions between the U.S. government and Indigenous nations. While it did not ultimately change the course of U.S. policy or lead to lasting victories for Native Americans, it did serve to galvanize public awareness and support for Indigenous causes at that time. The aftermath saw a harsh crackdown by U.S. forces, which led to further conflicts and the eventual establishment of more reservations, but the battle itself remains a powerful symbol of Indigenous resistance.