United States Treatment of Native Americans and the Little Bighorn

Question

Instructions

Your first major paper for this course is based on the topic of the United States' treatment of Native Americans.  Using Debra Buchholtz' book, The Battle of the Greasy Grass/Little Bighorn as your guide,  construct an argumentative, interpretive historical essay addressing the questions below.  In addition to using the book, please read the posted articles and use them in constructing your paper.

Your paper should be original and analytical, with an obvious thesis to guide your argument. Do not write a summary of the book or the articles.  The sources should be used to inform, illustrate, and support your argument.

This paper must be at least 5-7 typed-written pages, doubled space, 12 point font, one-inch margins, with numbered pages, in-text citations, and a work cited page.

You must use citations (MLA or APA format) when using any material (direct or indirect) from class, the text book, the Buchholtz book, and the posted articles.  No other sources can be used in writing this paper.

NOTE: EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE BY THE BOOK

ASSignment questions

1. Discuss the Battle of the Greasy Grass/Little Bighorn within the broader context of the United States' policy toward the Native Americans in the Great Plains following the Civil War (1865-1890).   Why were there tensions between the US and the Great Plains Natives during this time? What was the US' policy towards the Lakotas and the Cheyennes?

2. What was the cause of the Battle of the Greasy Grass/ Little Bighorn?  How does this battle fit within the broader context of what was known as the "Indian Problem"?

3. Discuss the different interpretations and commemorations of the Battle of the Greasy Grass/Little Big Horn. Visit the National Park Service's website. How does the NPS interpret/commemorate the battle? How and why has the interpretation / memory of this battle changed over time?

4. How do you think the Battle of the Greasy Grass/Little Big Horn and the broader conflict with the Natives should be remembered?