Tecumseh

Today in class we looked at often ignored period in American History: the settling of the Northwest Territory.  Most history books spend very little time on this topic.  In the beginning of the year we talked about how historians have to choose what to include in history text books.  Sometimes certain events and people do not get to be recorded or have their voices heard.  That is why I wanted to examine the American expansion from the point of view of Tecumseh and other Native Americans. 

 One of the questions that I want you to consider is the legitimacy of the sale of the Northwest Territory.  The British agree to give the land to the United States following the American Revolution.  American settlers that move into the Ohio River Valley feel as though they have a legitimate claim to that land.  The Native American tribes that live in that region view the Americans as intruders.  So did the British really control or own the land that they sold?  Was this sale legitimate? 

    Some tribes fought back and attacked American settlers that crossed the Ohio River.  As the death toll mounted the American government was put under pressure to protect these settlers.  Some members of Congress and the Senate did not want to help these farmers and settlers.  They (the settlers) knew that the land was dangerous and that there would be a chance that Indians could attack them.  Eventually, President Washington asked General Anthony Wayne to go into the Ohio Territory and protect the Americans that were living there.

   "Mad" Anthony Wayne was able to defeat the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.  His tactics took advantage of Native American religious beliefs and gave his army the upper hand.  The Treaty of Greenville ended the fighting between settlers and Indian tribes.  *You should be able to tell me the conditions of the treaty.

   We ended class talking about Tecumseh and his background information. 

You should be able to tell me the following:

1.)  Why did Tecumseh refuse to sign The Treaty of Greenville?

2.) What present day states were part of The Northwest Territory?

3.) Why did Tecumseh dislike certain settlers?

4.) Why didn't the Native Americans attack the British

Quiz tomorrow Good Luck