The Rest Is History 451. Custer's Last Stand: The Charge of the 7th Cavalry (Part 6)
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May 16, 2024 Discover the chaotic backdrop of the U.S. in the 1870s, where economic panic fueled paramilitary violence. Delve into the tense military strategies devised by Ulysses S. Grant against the Plains Indians, as war chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull unite their tribes. Learn about George Custer's risky political maneuvers and the obsession with his public image. As preparations mount for the Battle of the Little Bighorn, experience the emotional weight of a letter from Custer's wife that hints at his turbulent mindset before the impending clash.
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US Government's Provocation
- The US government developed a plan to provoke war with the Lakota by allowing settlers into the Black Hills.
- This was done despite knowing the Lakota's reasons for resistance.
Crook's Failed Campaign
- General Crook's winter campaign against the Lakota and Cheyenne was a disaster, pushing refugees into Sitting Bull's village.
- This unintentionally united and strengthened the indigenous forces.
Roots of Failure
- The US government's failures stemmed from complacency, underestimation, and racial arrogance towards the indigenous people.
- These are common traits in imperial failures.