The Real Story of the American Revolution 

Acquisition of Amerindian (Native American) Territory

The procedures used to claim land, acknowledge rights to land use, and transfer title varied among the groups that inhabited North America during 1600-1800. Peaceful transfer and respect for land use rights prevailed within homogeneous ethnic communities in times of plenty, but distinct ethnic groups often survived and gained regional power by evicting neighboring ethnic groups through threat and armed conflict. Better resistance to disease, more advanced technologies, and written archives and communications gave European groups distinct advantages in both negotiation and conflict.

Latest Changes: 08Feb18 - fix links / 08Apr18 - put in better time order /

1600-1775: Acquisition during the Colonial Period   Long before the earliest known visits of Europeans to North America (about 1000 CE) Amerindians had settled the continent, developed organized societies with advanced technology and extensive trade routes, and competed for dominance over land and resources. Further information on the eastern tribes. European Colonial Claims in Eastern North America in 1750 [WGBH Education Foundation] At the end of the French and Indian War (1754-1763) French claims to land in North America were divided between Great Britain (east of the Mississippi) and Spain (west of the Mississippi). King George III's The Proclamation of 1763 defined the boundaries of the provinces of Quebec, East Florida, West Florida, and Saint John (in the Caribbean) and set aside a reserve for Indian tribes. The proclamation extinguished the claims of other British colonies that had in the past extended west of the fall line of the Appalachian Mountains. In addition European settlers were barred from buying land or settling in the Indian Reserve. At right: Boundaries Defined by the Proclamation of 1763 [UShistory.org]   Quebec's boundaries were later expanded south to the Ohio River. European Colonial Claims in Eastern North America in 1775 [American Studies at the Univ. of Virginia]

1776-1786: Acquisition during the American Revolution   During the American Revolution both Great Britain and U.S. sought the support of the roughly thirty-five Amerindian tribes whose lands were located between the Atlantic Coast and the Mississippi River. Many of these tribes had previously been trade and military allies of France and were not inclined to side with Great Britain, whose colonists had been pushing into their territories for decades prior to the French and Indian War. On the other hand Britain had tried to protect tribal lands west of the Appalachian Mountains by restricting colonial settlements to the land east of the Appalachians, Now those colonists were intent on forming a new nation that might not rebe even more of a threat to the tribal lands. Lesson Plan 718: Choosing Sides: The Native Americans' Role in the American Revolution [EDSITEment] Battles involving Amerindians during the Revolution include     1774: Point Pleasant (VA, now OH)     1782: Blue Licks (KY)

1786-1801 Acquisition under the Henry Knox Policy   The Henry Knox policy of 1786 was to purchase Amerindian lands and educate Amerindians in European economic practices During this time the U.S. sent several military expeditions into the area north and west of the Ohio River. In 1790 Gen. Josiah Harmar was appointed to lead federal troops to expel settlers and to quell raids by Amerindians in the Northwest Territory. He pursued the Shawnee north along the Scioto River from Cincinnati into the Maumee valley, destroying villages and crops. A confederation of tribes under the leadership of Michikinikwa (Little Turtle) defeated Harmar's small detachment. Later a larger force under Harmar fought the same confederation to a standstill, but could not claim victory in the battle. Gen. Josiah Harmar [Heidelberg College] In 1791 Arthur St. Clair -- governor of the Northwest Territories (former general during the Revolution) -- ordered the construction of forts in what is now western Ohio and also mounted an expedition of militia to protect settlers and to force the Indians to abide by the Treaty of Fort Harmar [Iroquois Treaties]. This expeditionary force was opposed by the confederated Amerindian nations. In 1791 September as St. Clair's army moved toward present-day Ft. Wayne IN desertions increased as the militia's morale decreased. On 1791 Nov 04 at Fort Recovery [60 miles NW of Dayton OH, on the Indiana border] about 1,000 Indian troops attacked about 1,000 U.S. troops (plus about 200 support personnel) and killed 630 of them. St. Clair's Defeat [Ohio History Central] In 1792 Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne was appointed to lead a 3,000-man legion of the United States Army of the Northwest. Wayne ordered the construction of several forts, including Fort Recovery, Fort Defiance, and Fort Greene Ville. Great Britain built Fort Miamis on the Maumee River to support its Amerindian allies -- a confederation of Amerindian nations led by Miami Chief Michikinikwa (Little Turtle), Shawnee Chief Weyapiersenwah (Blue Jacket), Shawnee leader Tecumseh, and Chief Bukongahelas. On 1794 Aug 20 U.S. forces defeated the Amerindians at Fallen Timbers [on the Maumee River]. Wayne negotiated for peace with the Amerindian confederation, and on 1795 Aug 3 they signed the Treaty of Greenville. The Miami, Wyandot, Shawnee, Delaware, and several other tribes agreed     -- to cease raids in Kentucky and Pennsylvania     -- to move out of lands in the southern and eastern parts of what is now Ohio     -- to move into the northwestern part of what is now Ohio This opened much of the Northwest Territory for non-Amerindian settlers. Tecumseh -- one of the most famous leaders during the resistance -- refused to sign the treaty, and bloody coonflict continued for the next twenty years. Anthony Wayne [Ohio History Central] An 1800 map of middle eastern North America after several states had formed and the U.S. organization of federal territories had begun.. [American Studies at the Univ. of Virginia] Ref: U.S. Indian Policy 1775–1830 ["Encyclopedia of American History", Answers Corporation] provides a summary, reading list, and material on the history of three policy directions during this time:

1801-1829 Acquisition under the Jeffersonian Policy   President Thomas Jefferson's policy was to educate Amerindians in European agricultural and domestic practices An 1810 map of middle eastern North America after the Louisiana purchase and further organization into state territories [American Studies at the Univ. of Virginia] Ref: U.S. Indian Policy 1775–1830 ["Encyclopedia of American History", Answers Corporation] provides a summary, reading list, and material on the history of three policy directions during this time:

1829-1917 Acquisition under the Jacksonian Policy   President Andrew Jackson's policy was to move Amerindians who lived east of the Mississippi River to reservations west of the Mississippi River. Ref: Summary of American Land Acquisitions by the U.S. (1783 - 1917) [The National Atlas of the United States of America (U.S. Dept. of the Interior Geological Survey, Washington DC, 1970)]

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