The Battle of the Greasy Grass - Noah Scherf | Library

8th Grade U.S. History 
Lesson goals: 
-Identify when the Battle of the Little Bighorn was and who led the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne 
-Explain how the Battle of the Little Bighorn impacted the American view of the Indian Wars 
-Create an argument for whether or not the battle was a long-term victory for the Lakota 

Notes: 
-The Battle of the Little Bighorn is the most importnat battle of Great Sioux War
-"The Battle of the Greasy Grass" and "The Battle of the Little Bighorn" are the same event. The Greasy Grass is the translation of the Lakota name for the river. 

1

What year did the Battle of the Little Bighorn take place?

Required

1

What is the U.S. Army's goal? (What is the 7th Cavalry trying to do?)

Required

1

The Sioux and Cheyenne are resisting the Army because they don't want to give up their _______. 

Where?: 
-Little Bighorn River, modern-day Montana 
Who?: 
-Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne vs. United States Army (7th Cavalry)
-Lakota and Cheyenne were led by the warrior Tasunke Witco and medicine man Tatanka Iyotake

Required

1

Who led the Lakota at the Battle of the Little Bighorn?

Results of the battle: 
-Major Lakota victory 
-Most important result: U.S. Army's summer campaign ends
-U.S. Army: 268 killed, 55 wounded 
-Lakota/Northern Cheyenne: 31 killed, up to 160 wounded
-The U.S. became even more determined to defeat the Lakota and sent more troops to the west. 

Required

1

Who won the Battle of the Little Bighorn?

Required

1

In your own words, how did the result of the battle impact how the U.S. viewed the Indian Wars?

-The Lakota won the Battle of the Little Bighorn, but lost the Great Sioux War.  
-In 1877, Crazy Horse was murdered by U.S. soldiers and Sitting Bull fled to Canada. 
-The Lakota were forced onto reservations where attempts destroy their language, culture, and spiritual beliefs accelerated. 

Required

1

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a clear short-term victory for the Lakota. However, based on what happened in the year 1877, can it still be considered a victory? Give at least one reason for your answer.