Treaty of Washington (1836)

Treaty of Washington (1836) was a significant agreement between the United States and the Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes, signed on March 28, 1836, in Washington, D.C.. The treaty marked an important milestone in the relationship between the US government and the Native American tribes, particularly in the context of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. This treaty was part of a broader series of agreements, including the Treaty of Fort Meigs and the Treaty of Detroit, aimed at relocating Native American tribes to areas west of the Mississippi River, as envisioned by Henry Clay and other proponents of the American System. The treaty's negotiations involved key figures such as Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who played a crucial role in ethnology and was influenced by the works of Lewis Cass.

● Introduction

The Treaty of Washington (1836) was a landmark treaty that had far-reaching implications for the Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes, as well as for the development of the United States in the region. The treaty was part of a larger effort by the US government to expand its territory and assert its authority over Native American lands, a policy supported by President Martin Van Buren and opposed by William Henry Harrison. This effort was influenced by the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which had significantly expanded US territory, and the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, which had established the border between the US and Spanish Florida. The treaty also reflected the growing interest in the region's natural resources, including the Copper Country of Michigan, which was home to significant deposits of copper and other minerals, and the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota, a major source of iron ore. Key figures involved in the treaty's negotiation included John Jacob Astor, who had significant interests in the American Fur Company, and Ramsay Crooks, who played a crucial role in the company's operations.

● Background

The background to the Treaty of Washington (1836) was complex and involved the interplay of various factors, including the expansion of US territory, the growth of the fur trade, and the increasing pressure on Native American lands. The Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes had traditionally inhabited the region around the Great Lakes, including the areas now known as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. However, with the expansion of US territory and the growth of the fur trade, the region became increasingly attractive to European-American settlers and traders, including those associated with the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. The US government, under the leadership of President Andrew Jackson and President Martin Van Buren, sought to assert its authority over the region and to relocate the Native American tribes to areas west of the Mississippi River, a policy influenced by the ideas of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. This policy was also driven by the desire to expand US territory and to gain access to the region's natural resources, including the Copper Country of Michigan and the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota.

● Provisions

The provisions of the Treaty of Washington (1836) were significant and had far-reaching implications for the Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes. The treaty established the boundaries of the tribes' territories and provided for the cession of certain lands to the US government, including areas around the Sault Ste. Marie and the St. Marys River. The treaty also established the terms under which the tribes would be relocated to areas west of the Mississippi River, including the provision of food, clothing, and other supplies, as well as the establishment of schools and other facilities, similar to those established under the Treaty of Fort Laramie. The treaty also recognized the rights of the tribes to hunt, fish, and gather on their traditional lands, subject to the authority of the US government, and provided for the protection of the tribes from encroachment by European-American settlers, a provision influenced by the Indian Trade and Commerce Act of 1790. Key figures involved in the negotiation of the treaty's provisions included Henry Schoolcraft, who played a crucial role in the development of US Indian policy, and Lewis Cass, who served as the Governor of Michigan Territory.

● Negotiation_and_Signing

The negotiation and signing of the Treaty of Washington (1836) involved a complex process of diplomacy and negotiation between the US government and the Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes. The treaty was negotiated by a commission appointed by President Andrew Jackson, which included Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and other officials, and was influenced by the Treaty of Ghent, which had ended the War of 1812. The commission met with representatives of the tribes, including Leopold Pokagon and other leaders, to discuss the terms of the treaty, which were also influenced by the Treaty of Paris of 1783. The treaty was signed on March 28, 1836, in Washington, D.C., and was witnessed by various officials, including John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren. The signing of the treaty marked an important milestone in the relationship between the US government and the Native American tribes, and had significant implications for the development of the region, including the growth of cities such as Detroit, Michigan, and Chicago, Illinois.

● Aftermath_and_Impact

The aftermath and impact of the Treaty of Washington (1836) were significant and far-reaching. The treaty marked the beginning of a new era in the relationship between the US government and the Native American tribes, and had important implications for the development of the region. The treaty led to the relocation of the Ottawa (tribe) and Ojibwe tribes to areas west of the Mississippi River, which had a profound impact on the tribes and their way of life, similar to the impact of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee Nation. The treaty also led to the expansion of US territory and the growth of European-American settlement in the region, which had significant implications for the environment and the Native American tribes, and was influenced by the Homestead Act of 1862. Key figures involved in the aftermath of the treaty included Kit Carson, who played a crucial role in the Mexican-American War, and John Sutter, who was influenced by the California Gold Rush.

● Legacy

The legacy of the Treaty of Washington (1836) is complex and multifaceted. The treaty marked an important milestone in the relationship between the US government and the Native American tribes, and had significant implications for the development of the region. The treaty also reflected the growing interest in the region's natural resources, including the Copper Country of Michigan and the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota, and the increasing pressure on Native American lands. Today, the treaty is remembered as an important part of the history of the United States and the Native American tribes, and is recognized as a significant milestone in the development of US Indian policy, which was influenced by the Dawes Act of 1887 and the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The treaty's legacy continues to be felt, and its impact is still being studied and debated by historians and scholars, including those at the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian. Category:Treaties of the United States