The Lives And Legacies Of Crazy Horse And Red Cloud

Have you ever wondered about the remarkable individuals who played key roles in shaping Native American history? Two prominent figures who left a lasting impact on the Lakota Sioux tribe and the wider Native American community are Crazy Horse and Red Cloud. These legendary warriors and leaders fought against the encroachment of the United States government on their ancestral lands during the late 19th century. Their lives were filled with courage, resilience, and a fierce determination to preserve their people's way of life.

The Mysterious and Enigmatic Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse, born around 1840, remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Native American history. Little is known about his early life, but his remarkable leadership skills and horse-riding prowess quickly made him a revered figure among the Lakota Sioux people. He played a pivotal role in several major battles, including the legendary Battle of the Little Bighorn where General Custer met his infamous demise.

Crazy Horse's dedication to defending Lakota lands was unwavering. He vehemently opposed the encroachment of white settlers and continually fought against the U.S. government's attempts to relocate his people to reservations. The Sioux leader's resistance led to the famous Red Cloud's War, a conflict that resulted in the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. This treaty ensured the Lakota's possession of the Black Hills, sacred land to the tribe.

Leaders of the Oglala Sioux: The Lives and Legacies of Crazy Horse and Red Cloud

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1761 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	66 pages
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Tragically, Crazy Horse's insistence on independence eventually led to his own demise. In 1877, he surrendered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, for the sake of his starving people. However, he was killed in a controversial incident shortly after his arrest, making his legacy as a fearless warrior and defender of his people's rights a timeless inspiration.

Red Cloud: A Diplomat and Military Strategist

Red Cloud, born in 1822, was another influential Lakota leader who contributed significantly to Lakota Sioux history. Unlike Crazy Horse, Red Cloud was known for his diplomatic skills as well as his military prowess. He rose to prominence during a time of great change as white settlers pushed westward in search of gold and land.

Red Cloud was determined to protect the territory belonging to the Lakota Sioux. Through his strategic military campaigns, he successfully defended his people's lands in what became known as Red Cloud's War. His knowledge of the Great Plains' geography and his ability to form alliances with other Native American tribes helped him secure victories against the U.S. military.

Realizing that continued warfare would be detrimental to his people, Red Cloud pursued a diplomatic solution. He negotiated the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, which, among other things, forced the U.S. government to abandon several military outposts. It was a significant achievement that brought temporary peace to the region, but tensions between the Lakota Sioux and the U.S. government persisted.

The Enduring Legacies of Crazy Horse and Red Cloud

The lives of Crazy Horse and Red Cloud left indelible marks on Native American history and continue to inspire generations. Their unwavering dedication to their people's rights and their determination to preserve their cultural heritage in the face of adversity are lasting testaments to their legacies.

Crazy Horse's courage on the battlefield and his refusal to relent in the face of overwhelming odds embody the spirit of resistance and resilience. He has become a symbol of Native American pride and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for ancestral lands and self-determination.

Red Cloud's diplomatic skills and military achievements showcased his ability to adapt to the changing world while still fighting for his people's rights. His political prowess set an example for future Native American leaders who sought peaceful resolutions to conflicts with the U.S. government.

Today, the memories of these two Native American icons are preserved through art, literature, and oral traditions. Their stories serve as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the strength and resilience exhibited by generations of Native American tribes. Their lives and legacies will forever live on, continuing to ignite a sense of pride in Native communities across the nation.

Leaders of the Oglala Sioux: The Lives and Legacies of Crazy Horse and Red Cloud

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1761 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	66 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

*Includes pictures of Red Cloud, depictions of Crazy Horse, and important people and places in their lives.
*Explains several Oglala oral legends, including the origins of the names Red Cloud and Crazy Horse
*Explains Red Cloud's War, the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and their roles in both.
*Includes a Table of Contents.

"Upon suffering beyond suffering: the Red Nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations. A world longing for light again. I see a time of Seven Generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.” – Crazy Horse

“Look at me - I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. We do not want riches, but we want to train our children right. Riches will do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches. We want peace and love.” – Red Cloud

Among the Oglala Lakota, one of the most famous bands of the Native American Tribe known as the Sioux, the longest and most effective leader was Makhpiyaluta, better known as Red Cloud. Though he has not been remembered as vividly as another member of the Oglala Lakota, Crazy Horse, Red Cloud led the group for 40 years, in war, in peace, and on a reservation, becoming so esteemed and influential that Americans began to mistakenly take him for the leader of the entire Sioux tribe.

In the 1860s, Red Cloud was at the forefront of skirmishing among whites and Native Americans along the frontier in Wyoming and Montana, which came to be known as Red Cloud’s War. After that, however, Red Cloud continued to lead his people to reservations first near the Black Hills and later westward after the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Though he was respected as a war chief, it was his political functions as a spokesman of the Oglala that truly allowed Red Cloud to leave his mark over the last several decades of his life. Whereas Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse suffered premature deaths, Red Cloud outlived the other important leaders of the Sioux until dying in 1909 at 87 years old. Near the end of his life, he reportedly said, “They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept but one -- they promised to take our land...and they took it.”

Red Cloud is often referred to as a symbol of Lakota concession. Sitting Bull is considered symbolic of Lakota spirituality. Crazy Horse, because he delayed surrender and never entered into treaty agreements with the U.S. military, became a symbol of Lakota resistance. Crazy Horse may have fervently wished to avoid white settlers, but he’s a Native American icon today because of the inability to do so. Like Geronimo in the Southwest and Sitting Bull on the Plains, Crazy Horse was a chief who fought in several skirmishes against settlers and U.S. forces during the 1860s, and he became one of the most famous Native Americans in American history because of one fateful confrontation with whites: the legendary Battle of the Little Bighorn, during which an estimated 2,000 Lakota and Cheyenne warriors routed and then annihilated the 7th U.S. Cavalry led by George Custer. That disaster led the American government to double down on its efforts to “pacify” the Plains, and by the end of the decade many of them had surrendered and been moved onto a reservation. Like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse tried to avoid surrendering for as long as he could, and both suffered a controversial death.

Leaders of the Oglala Sioux looks at the two most famous leaders of the Oglala, including their roles in Red Cloud's War and at Little Bighorn, but it also humanizes the men who became symbols of defiance and conciliation respectively. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Red Cloud and Crazy Horse like you never have before.