CURSOS INGLÉS EN GANDIA -TWO FAMOUS AMERICANS (DOS AMERICANOS FAMOSOS)

BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN

For most of us this would be a dream of paradise. However, it was a reality for the Sioux Indians living on the Great Plains of North America during the early 19th Century.

Unfortunately, the Souix’s way of life had no possibility of survival when it came into contact with the new ‘Americans’ from Europe. These were people who were dynamic, ruthless and organised and who were driven by a relentless desire for ‘progress’ and self-improvement. The new ‘Americans’ were certainly intolerant of the native Indians and looked upon their lifestyle with incomprehension and contempt.

It is this clash of Western and Indian culture that forms the central part of a fascinating book by Stephen E. Ambrose (‘Crazy Horse and Custer’) . Two famous American characters and their parallel lives show two totally different cultures – within the context of one of America’s most important periods of development.

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Ironically, both Custer and Crazy Horse were similar in many ways, although both came from cultures that were very different. Born within two years of each other (Custer in 1839 and Crazy Horse in 1841), they both achieved fame at a very early age before being disgraced. Both men then changed their lives until they were close to becoming leaders of their people. Before his death, the popularity of General Custer was so great that he was being talked about as possibly the next president of the United States. Finally, both General Custer and Crazy Horse died violently within one year of each other.

What both Crazy Horse and Custer had most in common was that they were first and foremost warriors – and warriors who always looked for combat and the fame that this could give them. By the age of 23, Custer was a Brigadier General and famous as the ‘most daring, gallant, courageous and successful Union cavalry general’ of the brutal American Civil War fought between 1861 and 1865.

Always at the front of any attack, General Custer was completely fearless and prepared to attack his enemy regardless of the force against him. General Custer was no strategist and it was, ironically, this ‘charge at any costs’ characteristic that was to be his downfall years later at the Battle of the Little Bighorn (also known as Custer’s Last Stand).

Crazy Horse, meanwhile, was an awesome guerrilla fighter known for his incredible bravery. His face unpainted, a single feather in his hair and a small brown stone behind his ear, he was always the first into battle – and the last to leave. A ferocious fighter, he was also a good tactician. He ‘didn’t like to start a battle unless he had it all planned out in his head and knew he was going to win.’ It was his leadership that helped greatly to defeat (and kill) General Custer at the battle of The Little Big Horn. This was a rare moment of Indian unity.

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