Significant Treaties with Native Americans

Significant treaties between the U.S. and Native American tribes shaped the relationship between these groups. These agreements often aimed for peace and trade but frequently resulted in land loss and broken promises, reflecting the complexities of Native American history.

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 peace and trade, emphasizing mutual respect.

3. Treaty of Greenville (1795)

   • Ended the Northwest Indian War and established peace between the U.S. and various Native American tribes.
   • Resulted in significant land cessions from tribes in present-day Ohio.
   • Set a precedent for future treaties and land negotiations.

4. Treaty of Fort Wayne (1809)

   • Signed with several Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi and Delaware.
   • Resulted in the cession of over 3 million acres of land in present-day Indiana.
   • Contributed to rising tensions leading to the War of 1812.

5. Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814)

   • Concluded the Creek War, forcing the Creek Nation to cede vast territories in Alabama and Georgia.
   • Marked a significant loss of land for the Creek people.
   • Highlighted the U.S. government's strategy of using military force to achieve treaty agreements.

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 Trail of Tears, a forced relocation resulting in significant suffering and death.

7. Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851)

   • Established boundaries for tribal territories in the Great Plains.
   • Aimed to ensure peace between Native American tribes and settlers.
   • Set the stage for future conflicts as settlers encroached on designated lands.

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 tribes and promised supplies and support from the U.S.
   • Ultimately failed to fulfill promises, leading to further conflict.

9. Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868)

   • Recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation.
   • Aimed to ensure peace and protect Native American lands from encroachment.
   • Broken by the U.S. government after gold was discovered in the Black Hills.

10. Dawes Act (1887)

    • Aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American society by allotting individual plots of land.
    • Resulted in the loss of tribal land and culture, as surplus land was sold to non-Natives.
    • Marked a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Native Americans, emphasizing individual ownership over communal land.