Significant Native American Treaties

Significant Native American treaties shaped the relationship between tribes and the U.S. government. These agreements often promised peace and land rights but frequently led to broken promises, forced relocations, and loss of territory, deeply impacting Native American narratives.

1. Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784)

   • First treaty between the United States and Native American tribes after the Revolutionary War.
   • Established boundaries for land cessions by the Iroquois Confederacy.
   • Aimed to secure peace and promote trade between the U.S. and Native Americans.

2. Treaty of Hopewell (1785)

   • Signed between the U.S. and the Cherokee Nation.
   • Recognized Cherokee land rights and established boundaries for their territory.
   • Included provisions for trade and the protection of Cherokee lands from encroachment.

3. Treaty of Greenville (1795)

   • Ended the Northwest Indian War and established peace between the U.S. and several Native American tribes.
   • Resulted in significant land cessions from the tribes in present-day Ohio.
   • Established a boundary line between U.S. territories and Native American lands.

4. Treaty of Fort Wayne (1809)

   • Signed with the Potawatomi, Delaware, and Miami tribes.
   • Resulted in the cession of over 3 million acres of land in present-day Indiana.
   • Aimed to facilitate U.S. expansion and settlement in the Northwest Territory.

5. Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814)

   • Concluded the Creek War, forcing the Creek Nation to cede vast territories in Alabama and Georgia.
   • Resulted in the loss of over 21 million acres of land for the Creek people.
   • Established U.S. dominance in the Southeast and furthered westward expansion.

6. Treaty of New Echota (1835)

   • Controversial treaty signed by a minority faction of the Cherokee Nation.
   • Provided for the removal of the Cherokee to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
   • Led to the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears, resulting in significant loss of life.

7. Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851)

   • Established peace between the U.S. and various Native American tribes in the Great Plains.
   • Recognized tribal territories and guaranteed safe passage for settlers on the Oregon Trail.
   • Set a precedent for future treaties, though many provisions were later violated.

8. Treaty of Medicine Lodge (1867)

   • Aimed to bring peace between the U.S. government and Southern Plains tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho.
   • Established reservations for the tribes and promised them protection and supplies.
   • Ultimately failed to prevent conflict and was not fully honored by the U.S. government.

9. Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)

   • Reaffirmed the boundaries of the Great Sioux Reservation.
   • Aimed to ensure peace and protect the Sioux from encroachment by settlers.
   • The U.S. government later violated the treaty, leading to further conflicts.

10. Agreement of 1877 (Sioux)

• Resulted in the U.S. government seizing the Black Hills from the Sioux Nation.
• Followed the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, leading to increased settler encroachment.
• The agreement was made without the consent of the majority of the Sioux, leading to ongoing disputes and grievances.