W32:D2 - The American Melting Pot - Native Americans after the Formation of the United States - The Adventure Box Podcast

Native American Alliances After the American Revolution

Following the American Revolution, Native American tribes faced an increasingly aggressive push from the newly formed United States to expand westward. The Treaty of Paris (1783) had ceded vast Native-held territories to the U.S. without consultation or consent, intensifying conflicts as settlers moved into tribal lands. In response, several Native American alliances formed to resist U.S. expansion and protect their territories, cultures, and sovereignty. Among these were the Western Confederacy, Tecumseh's Confederacy, and smaller regional coalitions.

 

The Western Confederacy (1785–1795)

One of the earliest and most significant Native alliances formed after the American Revolution was the Western Confederacy, a coalition of tribes from the Great Lakes region and the Ohio Valley. This confederacy emerged as a direct response to American encroachments on Native lands and the failure of the U.S. government to honor previous treaties.

Member Tribes:

• Shawnee
• Miami
• Delaware (Lenape)
• Wyandot
• Ottawa
• Ojibwe
• Potawatomi
• Kickapoo
• Sauk and Fox

Goals:

The Western Confederacy sought to create a united front against American settlers and military forces, advocating for a return to the Ohio River as the boundary between Native and American territories. They viewed unity as essential to resisting the U.S. government's policy of westward expansion.

 

Key Events:

• Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784): U.S. attempts to claim Native lands through treaties provoked outrage among tribes excluded from negotiations. This galvanized efforts to form the confederacy.
• Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): The Western Confederacy suffered a decisive defeat to General Anthony Wayne's forces, leading to the Treaty of Greenville (1795), which ceded much of Ohio to the United States. Despite the loss, the alliance demonstrated the power of intertribal unity.

 

Tecumseh’s Confederacy (1808–1813)

One of the most well-known Native American alliances formed in the post-Revolutionary period was Tecumseh’s Confederacy, led by the Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (the Prophet). This pan-tribal movement aimed to resist U.S. expansion and create a unified Native nation.

 

Member Tribes:

Tecumseh’s Confederacy extended beyond the Ohio Valley and included tribes from the Great Lakes, the Southeast, and parts of Canada, such as:

• Shawnee
• Potawatomi
• Miami
• Kickapoo
• Delaware (Lenape)
• Ojibwe
• Sauk and Fox
• Creek (Muscogee)

 

Goals:

Tecumseh envisioned a confederacy where all tribes shared a common goal of rejecting U.S. land treaties, which he argued were illegitimate unless all tribes consented. The movement also sought to revitalize traditional Native cultures, which Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa believed had been undermined by European influence.

 

Key Events:

• Battle of Tippecanoe (1811): The U.S. Army, led by Governor William Henry Harrison, attacked Prophetstown, the confederacy’s headquarters. Though a tactical setback, this battle further united tribes against U.S. aggression.
• War of 1812: Tecumseh allied with the British, hoping to halt U.S. expansion. His leadership was instrumental in early victories, but his death at the Battle of the Thames (1813) led to the collapse of the confederacy.

 

Regional Alliances and Resistance Movements

Beyond these large confederacies, smaller regional alliances also formed during this period, reflecting the diversity of Native resistance:

1. The Creek Red Stick Movement (1813–1814):

• A faction of the Creek (Muscogee) nation, known as the Red Sticks, opposed U.S. expansion and assimilation efforts. They allied with Tecumseh’s Confederacy and engaged in the Creek War, which ended with their defeat at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

The Seminole Resistance:

• In Florida, the Seminoles formed alliances with escaped African American slaves and other tribes to resist U.S. forces in the Seminole Wars (1816–1858). These alliances blurred racial and cultural lines, creating a unique coalition of resistance.

The Black Hawk War (1832):

• Led by Sauk leader Black Hawk, this alliance of Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo tribes attempted to reclaim lands in Illinois and Wisconsin. Although ultimately unsuccessful, the war highlighted ongoing Native resistance to U.S. policies.

 

Challenges to Unity

While these alliances demonstrated remarkable organizational and diplomatic skills, they faced significant challenges:

• Cultural Differences: Diverse languages, traditions, and political structures often complicated unity.
• U.S. Divide-and-Conquer Tactics: The U.S. government exploited intertribal rivalries and offered individual tribes favorable treaties to undermine collective resistance.
• European Influence: Alliances with European powers, such as the British and Spanish, provided resources but often subordinated Native goals to European interests.

 

Legacy of Post-Revolutionary Alliances

The Native alliances formed after the American Revolution marked a critical period of resistance in the face of overwhelming challenges. While these coalitions ultimately failed to stop U.S. expansion, they demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of Native peoples. Their efforts inspired later resistance movements and remain a testament to the enduring struggle for sovereignty and self-determination.

These alliances also influenced U.S. military strategies and policies, shaping the nation's westward trajectory. The legacy of figures like Tecumseh continues to symbolize the importance of unity and the fight for indigenous rights, both in the historical record and in contemporary movements advocating for Native sovereignty and cultural preservation.