Throughout history many leaders have past human's eyes. Great generals have shaped history in many ways, whether it be through military expansion like Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan, or through governing of their empires, like Winston Churchill or Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Our eyes look past one of the greatest leaders in North America, a man, a chief, a leader named Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse was an amazing chief of the Native Americans. He belonged to the the Sioux Tribe, one of the most elite tribes in the region. Crazy Horse shaped the Native Americans during the Indian War like no other, and due to that he is remembered every day. Crazy Horse's biography and effect on present day can help us understand the significance he has every day to not just Native American but universal culture.
Crazy Horse had an intense life, filled with action, understanding, and character. Crazy Horse, originally known as "Curly" was born in present day Rapid City, South Dakota. South Dakota in the present day is one of the most concentrated areas of Native American inhabitants. Crazy Horse was fierce and aggressive from a young age, killing a buffalo by the age twelve. His courage and braveness allowed him to adopt his father's, who was a medicine man, name Crazy Horse. At an early age, while living with his uncle, Spotted Tail, witnessed an event that wrought the life of him. He had went out to hunt one day, only to return a burnt village and eighty-three people murdered. This was the outcome of the US Cavalry that had attacked the area because they felt that they would do better there. Crazy Horse found their attack useless and unnecessary creating an ill-feeling inside him toward the white man. I, as well as many, believe that Crazy horse would go on to hate the white race due to this very reason, the killing of his very own tribe. As Crazy horse got older, his skills got intensely better. In the years of 1866-1868, Crazy Horse participated in his first war, also known as Red Cloud's War. He joined raids in order to attack white settlements in Wyoming. This showed that he put the tribe over himself as he was very selfless. He valued his people more than himself even as an individual. Seeing this, the Lakota Sioux tribe that he was a member of made him the chief of the Oglalas at the young age of 24. Crazy Horse was talented at a young age, and through seeing his greatness the Sioux put their lives in Crazy Horse's hands. That was the best thing they could do. Crazy Horse went on, fighting for independence from the US, fighting for the right of privacy. Eventually he became rival to one of the greatest American chiefs of the 19th century, General Custer. Many believe that General Custer has had a significant influence on American society, and it is seen in a town in South Dakota being named after him. Custer's strength and deep army, however, did not scare Crazy Horse. Custer had invaded the area that had been given to the Native Americans as a peace treaty from the outcome of Red Cloud's war, and Crazy Horse did not much appreciate that. The US gave orders to Native Americans to stay on the reservations and not hurt the people coming through, but Crazy Horse ignored orders showing his resilience. The Army organized a campaign against the Sioux and went to attack. This became better known as Rosebud Creek. The soldiers outnumbered the warriors. There were about 1300 American soldiers while there were only 1200 Sioux warriors. Crazy Horse ignored this, and still went ahead to battle. Crazy Horse joined forces with two other great Native American chiefs, Gall and Sitting Bull.
Through their assistance and Crazy Horse's military strategies, they went ahead to attack. Custer led forces from the North and West while Gall and his warriors attacked from the South and East. Crazy Horse and his crew went on to win the battle, but they could not finish out the war. I think that if Crazy Horse had more assistance, the Native Americans could have won the Indian War. After this incident, Crazy Horse's life began to wind down and he settled. He wanted to find stability in his life, whether it meant on the reservation or not. After settling, Crazy Horse's wife got sick and he had to leave the reservation to get her medical assistance. Leaving the reservation was strictly prohibited in the orders that the US had set down. On the way back, after he had got his wife medical assistance, he was found by some scouts from the US Army. Crazy Horse was dragged into jail, and he resisted. His resistance caused him to be literally bayoneted in the abdomen and that was the cause of his death. Crazy Horse always put others, whether it be his wife or his tribe, before himself. His attributes not only as a great leader but also as a great person can be helpful in anyone's life present day.
Present day many have tried to remember Crazy Horse through creating memorials and remembering him through honoring objects. In the same location as the national monuments of the presidents, there is being created a monument of Crazy Horse. When it is completed, this will be the largest monument in the world. Crazy Horse represents freedom and light for the Native Americans and in doing so they have honored many things to him, such as this structure. Between Custer, South Dakota and Hill City, South Dakota is the highway US-20. The government there has decided to honor this highway as Crazy Horse Highway since he has shaped much of the culture there. There also has been a national motorcycle ride to honor Crazy Horse, known as the Crazy Horse ride in order to remember his great legacy for the Sioux Native Americans. Crazy Horse has and will be significantly affecting our lives now and for days to come.
Crazy Horse is one of the greatest soldiers and leaders of all time. He has had an impression on our past, and has an impression on our present, and will be changing our future. Whether we are Native American or not, we can and should learn a lot from Crazy Horse, both as a person and as a leader.
Western Michigan
Spartacus School NET
Rapid City Journal
University of Memphis
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
