Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which conflict was a significant event in Native American resistance against U.S. expansion?

1. War of 1812

2. Battle of Gettysburg

3. Battle of Little Bighorn

4. Spanish-American War

The correct answer is: Battle of Little Bighorn

The Battle of Little Bighorn stands out as a critical moment in Native American resistance against U.S. expansion. Also known as "Custer's Last Stand," this 1876 conflict involved a coalition of Native American tribes, primarily the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho, who united to oppose the encroachment of settlers and the U.S. government's policies that threatened their lands and way of life. Under the leadership of figures such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, Native American forces decisively defeated General George Custer's 7th Cavalry. This battle was significant not only for its immediate outcome but also for its symbolic stature as a powerful stand against U.S. military aggression. It reflected the broader struggle of Native Americans during a time of intense pressure from U.S. expansionism, land treaties that were often ignored, and the attempts to force assimilation. In the context of this question, while the War of 1812 involved various Native American groups on both sides, it was not solely about resistance to U.S. expansion in the way the Battle of Little Bighorn was. The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal moment in the Civil War but did not directly involve Native American resistance. The Spanish