Tecumseh was born in March of 1768. His real name was Tecumtha, which meant "panther lying in wait," but to the white men he was called Tecumseh which stood for "shooting star." His father was a Shawnee war chief named Puckeshinwa who was an intelligent man that saw the advantage of keeping friendly relations with the Americans (Patriot 137). When Tecumseh was a young boy, his father was shot by a group of settlers that were in the Shawnee's land. When his father did not come home, Tecumseh went out in search of him. When he found his father dying from the wound and learned what had happened he was filled with rage and animosi

While Tecumseh was trying to recruit more tribes to join his Confederation, he left his brother at Prophet's Town to watch over the people and told him not to be drawn into a battle. General Harrison had heard of Tecumseh's absence and recruited a group of around 1000 men (Blodgett). He marched towards Prophet Town and camped near the Indians. When they arrived, the Indians could not decide what to do without Tecumseh there. But a group of Winnebagos convinced Tenskwatawa that they had to attack the whites (Patriot 160). The Indians looked to their prophet Tenskwatawa for a prediction, and he told him that they would defeat their enemy (Blodgett). So early in the morning around 450 Indians attacked the Americans encampment. At the end of the battle the Indians retreated, suffering a loss of around 25 to 40 men. Harrison continued by marching on Prophet's town and burning everything there including the towns food supply (Patriot 161). After suffering a loss, the Indians lost faith in Tenskwatawa for predicting a victory which they never received. Many Indians abandoned the confederation after this because they felt they did not stand a chance (Blodgett).

When he was visiting his sister in Ohio he met a young American girl named Rebecca Galloway. She taught Tecumseh to speak some English and helped him to learn to read. She was a very kind, understanding woman and taught Tecumseh to be humane and have respect for all men (Patriot 146). Tecumseh fell in love Rebecca and soon asked her to marry him. She told him she would if he would give up his Indian heritage and come live with her as an American (Blodgett). Tecumseh took a month to make up his mind and finally decided that he could not abandon his people. It broke his heart, but he told her that he could not marry her and they went their separate ways (Patriot 147).

Tecumseh's Confederation would've succeeded if it were not for the overwhelming problems experienced by Tecumseh. One reason it failed was because many tribes did not want to join. Many tribes did not want to lessen themselves by being under the control of a central authority. Some even couldn't look beyond their past rivalries and refused to join. Also other tribes, particularly in the east, were worn out from previous fighting with the Americans and would not join (Dodson)

The governor of the Indiana Territory, William Henry Harrison, was Tecumseh's rival. He greatly feared the confederation

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Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)