Seminole Wars

A detailed Summary of Seminole Wars

Thesis: The Seminole Wars were unnecessary wars fought during the eighteen hundreds.

The American government was strongly against the Native Americans. It was said that the Government had "taken their actions a step further with the Seminole Indians," of Florida (McGill 1). November of 1817, Andrew Jackson began his campaign against Spanish Forts, as well as Seminole villages in Florida. In retaliation, Seminole Indians began to fight back, starting the first Seminole War, followed by the second, the third and the Trail Of Tears.

"The Seminole Tribe consisted of the Creek, Apache, and Black Slaves who ran away from the south" (McGill 1). The Seminoles leader was Osceola. The Seminoles were not fond of the whites, especially those trying to make and enforce laws to take their land.

"The development of the Southern States disrupted the boundaries of all native American groups in the region" (www.floridahistory.org). In the mid- 1700's Creeks, predominately of the Hitchiti- speaking Oconee tribe left Western Georgia and moved southward to the Gainesville prairies. "Perhaps they were adventurous young Indians since Seminole means runaway or wild. These small bands of Indians found Spanish Florida a save refuge

The First Seminole War began in 1817. It was started because of the attack on the Negro Fort. Jackson's Army won by May of 1818. Then Spain and the United Sates, giving the United Sates possession of Florida, signed the Adams Onis Treaty in 1819. When Florida became a Territory in 1821, the first governor, Andy Jackson considered some 7,000 Seminoles in Florida a major handicap in the development of Florida. This caused even more controversy, and the Second Seminole War began (www.floridahistory.org 1).

The Seminole Wars. Http://www.frostburg.edu

Mc Gill, Sara Ann. "Indian Relations." Events and People of the Early national Period (1800-1850) 2000: 43. Ebsco. Feb. 2001.

Meltzer, Miltion. Hunted Like a Wolf. Canada: Doubleday Canada Ltd, 1972.

The government was attempting to force many tribes across the Mississippi River; some Seminoles still had the desire to fight for their land. A minority of Seminoles signed United States Treaties and surrendered (McGill 2). The US army tried to get back by luring some Seminoles by setting them in traps, negotiating, and capturing those who attended the negotiating meetings. Even the Seminoles leader, Osceola was captured, and later committed suicide while in prison

It is now over 130 years later and yet still, laws have not changed much in the United States. There are no laws protecting the Indians. Most

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Approximate Word count = 938
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History