Native American Politics

Chapter 6.4U.S. History

Explain why/how Native Americans power diminished

in the 1780’s.

answer

• Native American lands were constantly being invaded

• Consequences of the Revolutionary War including:– Loss of power of the very powerful Iroquois and

Cherokee nations (North and South)– No unified strategies when dealing with

movement of settlers into tribal lands

What turned this around

in the

1790’s?

answer• Miami, Delaware, Shawnee

form alliances to resistance American expansion

• British help defeat and destroy U.S. army post (near Ft. Wayne, Indiana)

• Defeat governor Arthur St. Clair – expedition leader in

Northwest Territory– Biggest defeat of U.S. army

Arthur St. Clair

Why did the alliance with

the British “collapse?”

answer• British deserted Native

AmericansConsequences• U.S. army more organized

under General Wayne and Legion of the United States– Native Americans defeated

in Ohio– Forced to sign treaty giving

up major portion of OhioGeneral “Mad Anthony” Wayne

What roles did Little Turtle

and Handsome Lake

play in Native American resistance?

answer

• Native Americans realize situations need to change-try different ways to deal with U.S. – Little Turtle: (accommodations)

• Excellent military leader/won several battles • Fought with British against Americans in 1790, but• Decided to make peace with whites/made best of situation

– Handsome Lake: (blended cultures)• Fought with British in Revolutionary War• Placed in a reservation, humiliated, drank, depressed• 1799 had vision for people

– Seneca should blend traditional beliefs with American/European customs (esp. agriculture and family life)

Little Turtle and Handsome Lake

Who was Tenskwatawa?

Why was he against assimilation?

answer

• Shawnee Prophet– “Total rejection of society based on European values”– Return to old ways and traditions

• Believed assimilation and mixing of cultures was against original Native American beliefs– Master of Life did not create European Americans– Some problems due to Native Americans’ not

following true path/traditional customs– Eventually developed more militant view of Americans

Who was Tecumseh? How was he

involved in the pan-Indian

movement?

answer

• Shawnee war chief– brother of Tenskwatawa

• Pan-Indian movement: “one that would transcend local and group differences among Native Americans”.– Believed in spiritual renewal of tribes– Against Treaty of Fort Wayne

• Gave up Native American land in Indiana Territory• Fought against then Governor Harrison (physically and

politically)

Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh(Brothers)

What was the Treaty of Fort Wayne? How was William Henry Harrison involved

(future President)?

answer

• Negotiated in 1809• Native American land was

considered property of all• All members of tribe had to

agree on sale of land• Government “bribed” some

to sign away rights• Most Native Americans

protested to Governor William Henry Harrison

What happened at the

Battle of Tippecanoe?

answer

•November 7, 1811 •Harrison had sent 1,000 soldiers to stop impending attacks by Native Americans•Tenskwatawa sent warriors to attack Harrison near Prophetstown•Battle lasted about 2 hours•Tactical draw•More of negative “politically” for Native Americans•Confidence in leadership of Tenskwatawa declines•Harrison burns Prophetstown

What did Native

Americans accomplish?

answer

“Although Techumseh and his brother did not accomplish their objectives, they left a vital

legacy of defiance of invasion and respect for themselves, their people, and their culture.”

(Textbook)

This would be a model for future generations of Native Americans, especially when it came to resurrecting customs/traditions.