Five Civilized Tribes

Five Civilized Tribes. The term refers to the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Creek Nation, and Seminole Nation, which were considered civilized by European-American colonists due to their adoption of colonial practices and Christianity. These tribes were influenced by Spanish and British colonizers, as well as French and Dutch traders, such as René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Henry Hudson. The Five Civilized Tribes were also impacted by the Indian Removal Act signed by Andrew Jackson, which led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears to Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma.

Introduction

The Five Civilized Tribes were a group of Native American tribes that were originally located in the Southeastern United States, particularly in what is now Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. They were known for their advanced Agriculture practices, including the cultivation of Maize, Beans, and Squash, as well as their complex societies, which included systems of Government, trade, and social hierarchy. The Five Civilized Tribes were also influenced by European-American culture, including the adoption of Christianity and the use of iron tools, such as those introduced by James Adair and John Bartram. The tribes were also impacted by the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, which led to the involvement of Tecumseh and Creek War.

History

The history of the Five Civilized Tribes dates back to the Pre-Columbian era, when they first inhabited the Southeastern United States. The tribes were influenced by various European colonizers, including the Spanish, British, French, and Dutch. The Five Civilized Tribes were also impacted by the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which was signed into law by Andrew Jackson and led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans to Indian Territory. This relocation was facilitated by the United States Army and led to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears, as documented by John Burnett and Elijah Hicks. The Five Civilized Tribes were also involved in the American Civil War, with some tribes, such as the Cherokee Nation, siding with the Confederate States of America and others, such as the Creek Nation, siding with the United States.

Tribes

The Five Civilized Tribes consisted of the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Creek Nation, and Seminole Nation. Each tribe had its own distinct culture, language, and traditions, but they shared a common experience of colonization and relocation. The Cherokee Nation was known for its advanced Agriculture practices and its adoption of Christianity, as influenced by John Ross and Elias Boudinot. The Chickasaw Nation was known for its skilled Hunting and Warfare practices, as well as its involvement in the Creek War alongside William Weatherford. The Choctaw Nation was known for its complex societies and its adoption of European-American culture, as influenced by Allan W. Eckert and Pushmataha. The Creek Nation was known for its advanced Agriculture practices and its involvement in the American Revolutionary War alongside Alexander McGillivray. The Seminole Nation was known for its skilled Hunting and Warfare practices, as well as its involvement in the Seminole Wars against the United States Army and Dade's Battle.

Relocation and Assimilation

The relocation of the Five Civilized Tribes to Indian Territory was a traumatic experience that had a profound impact on the tribes. The relocation was facilitated by the United States Army and led to the deaths of thousands of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears. The tribes were forced to adapt to a new environment and to adopt European-American culture, including the use of iron tools and the practice of Christianity. The Five Civilized Tribes were also subject to Assimilation policies, which aimed to erase their cultural identities and integrate them into European-American society, as advocated by Richard Henry Pratt and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. The tribes were also impacted by the Dawes Act of 1887, which aimed to break up Native American landholdings and promote Assimilation.

Modern-Day Legacy

The legacy of the Five Civilized Tribes can be seen in the modern-day Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Creek Nation, and Seminole Nation. These tribes continue to maintain their cultural identities and to practice their traditional ways of life, including the use of Native American languages such as Cherokee language and Choctaw language. The Five Civilized Tribes are also recognized as sovereign nations by the United States government, with their own systems of Government and trade. The tribes are also involved in various Economic development projects, including Casino gaming and Tourism, as seen in the Cherokee Casino and the Choctaw Casino. The legacy of the Five Civilized Tribes is also commemorated in various Museums and Historic sites, including the National Museum of the American Indian and the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The Five Civilized Tribes are also recognized for their contributions to American history, including the involvement of Wilma Mankiller and Wiley Post in Aviation and Politics. Category:Native American tribes