IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS DURING THE 1800S

Alexander McGillivrayMcGillivray was considered to

be a full member of both English and Native American cultures (dual lineage) so he received a traditional English education and, due to his mother’s ancestry, was also a leader in Creek society.

Alexander McGillivrayDuring the American Revolution, Alexander’s

father remained loyal to the crown and, as most Creeks, McGillivray fought for England as well.

After the war, McGillivray focused on keeping as much Creek land as possible.

He signed a treaty with Spain in 1784, which kept Georgia’s land ambitions at bay.

Alexander McGillivrayEventually in 1790, McGillivray signed the Treaty

of New York which created a treaty of friendship between the United States and the Creek Nation.

The treaty also ceded Creek land to the United States, in return the United States promised to honor the boundaries of the Creeks’ remaining lands.

In other words, he gave up Creek land to the US government

William McIntoshWilliam McIntoshalso known as Tustunnuggee

Hutkee ("White Warrior")Had dual lineageraised among the Creeks, but

he spent enough time in Savannah to become fluent in English and to be able to move comfortably within both Indian and white societies

William McIntoshSupported the United States and its efforts to

obtain cessions of Creek territoryHis support alienated him from many Creeks

who opposed whites taking Indian landSigned Treaty of Indian Springs, which gave

away all Creek lands Creeks killed him bc he signed the treaty,

giving away the Creek land without the consent of the Creeks

William McIntoshJust before dawn on April 30, 1825, Upper

Creek chief Menawa, accompanied by 200 Creek warriors, attacked McIntosh to carry out the sentence. They set fire to his home, and shot and stabbed to death McIntosh

What role did Alexander McGillivray and William McIntosh play in the removal of

Creek Indians in Georgia?

Alexander McGillivray William McIntosh

Protected Creek lands from white settlers

Attacked white settlers during Oconee War.

Signed 1790 Treaty of New York. US gov’t promised to protect Creek lands west of Oconee River.

Creeks leave lands east of Oconee River, leads to Headright land distribution

Supported Georgia and US gov’t to gain land from Creeks

Profited from treaties by gaining land for himself

Signed the 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs – gave up all of Creek lands without permission of other Creek Chiefs.

Was killed by Creek Indians for betraying the Creek Nation

Both were bi-racial Creek Indian Chiefs with a

European descent

father and Creek

mother

In 1825 cousins William McIntosh, a Creek leader, and George Troup, the governor of Georgia, signed the Treaty of Indian Springs, which authorized the sale of Creek lands in the state to the federal government. McIntosh was murdered shortly thereafter by angry members of the Creek Nation.

Sequoyahborn to a Cherokee mother and

white father. His father was said to be a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolution.

Sequoyah completely rejected white society and never learned English. However, he was impressed with the way that Whites were able to communicate over long distances

Sequoyahimpressed with the way that Whites were able

to communicate over long distancescreated the Cherokee Syllabary (alphabet)traveled throughout the entire Cherokee Nation,

including Georgia, to teach and promote the use of the new written language

his Syllabary was important in the history of the Cherokee. It was the first time an individual in an illiterate civilization created a written language

Sequoyah

Sequoyahthe language was the basis of the Cherokee

newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenixcreation of a written Constitution

Invented Cherokee syllabary (alphabet) which gave Cherokee an argument that they were a civilized nation

Cherokee hoped that whites would accept them as civilized and they would be able to remain on their land.

John Rossprincipal chief of the Cherokee Nationspoke English and practiced many

European customssuccessful business man, who sold

goods to the US governmentOwned a plantation and ferry business. used his wealth and connections to win

several governmental positions in the Cherokee Nation

John RossSupported petition that stated majority of Cherokee

were against removalBelieved Supreme Court would prevent Cherokee

removal from GABelieved that US government would stand behind the

US Supreme Court’s decisionRoss continued to fight removal until 1838, when he

negotiated a deal with the U.S. Government to pay for his moving expenses. However, this still did not completely protect Ross from tragedy on the Trail of Tears.