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Creation Date
6-2026
Description
This Story surrounds an event that occurred one summer on June 25, 1876, along the banks of the Little Bighorn River in what is now the state of Montana. Seen from a 21st century perch, it is a story of a collision between two very different civilizations or empires. Both empire’s military fought in the manner of their society. This narrative will attempt to balance the believable truth of what happened in that contest between the military representatives of both societies while also trying to tell an engaging story, without drifting into naked partisanship, purple prose, or sensationalism. The narrative will go beyond a focus on the meanings the event had for the soldiers by first exploring the event’s meaning for the Anglo nation. This story will examine the context the event occurred in and the factors behind what happened. This story will include this author’s view of why the battle happened or evolved as it did. Though the author’s opinion is based on reviewing much of the literature about the Little Bighorn, at the end of the day it remains one person’s conclusion. We will then proceed to briefly explore differences in narrative and material accounts regarding what happened then look at two important factors, one of them new, about a unit’s tactical stability or confidence or morale. Next, our story’s main emphasis will shift to what occurred for many of those involved during the clash and in the aftermath of the battle and identify what was likely registered back then but is understood today as reflecting a traumatic condition.
Organizational Units
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
Publisher
University of Denver
Document Type
Textbook
City
Denver, CO
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Included in
Economic History Commons, Military History Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Political History Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Social Psychology Commons, United States History Commons