Indian removal programs (1830-1900)

1. Indian removal programs (1830-1900) By: Brooke Fuller and Breanne DePino

2. Tecumseh Wars • War between the United States and an American Indian Confederacy led by the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. • This was the final conflict of the 60 years war resulting in Europe’s conquest of the Great Lakes Region. • Continued into the war of 1812.

3. The Creek Wars (1813-1814) • Also known as the Red Stick War and The Creek Civil War. • Began as a civil war within the Creek Nation and America was pulled into it when American soldiers stopped and looted a party of Red Sticks. The Red Sticks realized they were being looted and came back with a surprise attack which is known today as The Battle of Burnt Corn.

4. Creek Wars Continued • America’s federal forces were busy fighting in Britain, so the southern states in the U.S. had to call up their militias to deal with the threat. • After a few small battles, all resulting in American victory, Andrew Jackson forced the Creeks to sign the Treaty of Fort Jackson. • The Creek ceded over 23 million acres to the United States government.

5. Indian Removal Act • US was expanding south • Settlers ran into obstacles…. The natives • Settlers pressured the government to forcibly remove the natives because they needed the land for growing cotton • Jackson wrote treaties for the natives to sign to move west of Mississippi; some signed, those who didn’t were forced to move • Led to the Seminole Wars • Jackson saw the natives as “children in need of guidance”

6. Indian Removal Act (Continued) • In 1832, the government tried to get the natives to sign a treaty that claimed that the government would supply the natives with suitable land and protection • Most of the natives agreed, the Cherokee did not • Jackson sent 7,000 troops to force the Cherokees to move, most died of cold, hunger, and disease • Trail named the trail of tears

7. The Trail of Tears • A trail that was used to relocate Indian tribes into reservations that were located in present day Oklahoma. • This trail is mostly remembered for the Cherokee tribe. • This was considered an act of genocide by many people, including some of the soldiers who were involved. • The main tribes that were moved on this trail were the Choctaws, Seminoles, Creeks, Chickasaw, and the Cherokee. • It was called the Trail of Tears, because of the death and misery of the tribes who were forced to leave their homes.

8. The First Seminole War (1817-1818) • Began over attempts by the United States authorities to recapture runaway slaves living among Seminole tribes. • Andrew Jackson was a general during this war and led U.S. military forces to invade the Seminoles in Florida and South Georgia. • After the U.S. defeated the Seminoles, Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. in 1821. • Now that America had Florida, it began urging Indians who lived there to leave their lands and relocate with other tribes in southeastern Indian territory.

9. First Seminole War (Continued) • Some of the Seminole tribe leaders signed a treaty in 1832. This allowed some of the tribe to be able to stay there and some to relocate. • Seminoles who refused to sign and recognize the treaty fled into the Florida Everglades.

10. Second Seminole War • AKA Florida War • 1835-1842 • Most expensive Indian war • Alabamas, Choctaws, Yamasees, Yuchis, and Creek vs. US • Group named Seminoles

11. Second Seminole War (Continued) • Treaty of Payne’s Landing: • Negotiated for the Seminoles to move west of Mississippi • Were given 3 years • Some disagreed • Whites assaulted remaining natives • 3 whites killed, one Indian injured, another killed • 550 soldiers stationed in Florida • Seminoles ambushed soldiers, only two lived • Army retreats • In 1837, US captured 40 Seminoles, but still unsuccessful

12. Second Seminole War (Continued) • Army brought in bloodhounds • Indians went through water so hounds couldn’t track • 18 soldiers followed but 6 were killed • Went to Indian Key • Indian Key became a base • Indians stole and burnt down buildings • 1842: decided remaining Seminoles be left alone if they stayed in Southern Florida • Cost up to $40 million • 1,466 died, mostly from disease or infected injuries

13. Second Seminole War (Continued) • Only 3,136 Seminoles remained • Peace came to Florida for a little while • Disputes began again • Started Third Seminole War

14. Third Seminole War • 1855-1858 • AKA Billy Bowlegs War • Last Florida War • Mostly guerilla warfare • US tried to remove Indians and force them to move west of Mississippi • Leader of Seminoles: Billy Bowlegs who refused to move • At end: Bowlegs agreed to leave for money

15. Works Cited • www.wikipedia.org • www.pbs.org