FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2021-121 DOUBLE FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 28, 2021) – In Issue 2021-121/122 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we revisit the Battle of Little Big Horn and find out if sugar is more important than Canada.

First, the last of General Custer:

The Battle of Little Big Horn occurred 145 years ago last Friday, June 25.

This was a major victory for the Native American tribes of Lakota, Dakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho versus the US Army’s 7th Calvary. Popular history casts a negative light on Lt. Colonel Custer who was killed in combat.  However, military historians are divided about the appropriateness of his tactics.

Led by Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Chief Gall, Two Moon, and others the 2000 Natives well outnumbered the Calvary who were 700 strong at the start.  Total casualties weren’t as high as pop culture would portray: 268 Calvary and probably under 100 Natives. The Battle occurred in southern Montana. 

Here is a chromolithograph by Adams of Custer’s Last Stand from 20 years after the battle.

Chromolithograph of Custer;s Last Stand in Southern Montanz (Credit Steve Kovacs)

. . . and then a taste of sweetness for the Europeans

– instead of Canada

Sweet!  Is access to sugar production worth more than controlling Canada?

The French thought so in 1763 when they exchanged the control of Canada for Guadeloupe with the British. The first European to sight Guadeloupe was Columbus in 1493.  However, the first European power to claim this small Caribbean island chain was France in 1635 on this day. 

The French settlers developed rather large and prosperous sugar cane plantations which provided the raw material to please the European tastes for sugar. This did not go unnoticed the British crown and the Royal Navy did capture Guadeloupe in 1759.   Four years later Britain signed the treaty with France swapping Guadeloupe for Canada.  Guadeloupe remains a French overseas department to this day.

Here is Cary’s map of the battle for Guadeloupe from 1781.

Guadalupe from 1781 (Credit Steve Kovacs)

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.