Creek War of 1836 facts for kids

During the Creek War of 1836, in Alabama, Opothleyahola, a Creek chief, led 1,500 of his warriors. He was working with the U.S. government against other Creek tribes who had joined the Seminole people. These groups were fighting against white settlers taking their land.

The Creek "War" of 1836, also known as the Second Creek War or Creek Alabama Uprising, was a conflict in Alabama. It happened during a time called Indian Removal, when Native American groups were forced to move from their lands. This "war" was between the Muscogee Creek people and non-native land buyers and settlers who were taking their land.

What Caused the Conflict?

Losing Land in Georgia

The Creek people had already been forced to leave Georgia because of the Treaty of Washington in 1826. Many of the Lower Creek people moved to the Indian Territory (which is now Oklahoma). However, about 20,000 Upper Creek people were still living in Alabama.

Alabama's New Laws

The state of Alabama started to take away the Creek people's own government. They also made the Creek people follow Alabama's state laws. Chief Opothleyahola asked President Andrew Jackson for help and protection from Alabama. But President Jackson supported the idea of moving Native Americans off their lands.

On March 24, 1832, the Creek people signed the Treaty of Cusseta. This treaty divided up the Creek lands into smaller pieces for individual families. The Creek people had a choice: they could sell their land pieces and get money to move west, or they could stay in Alabama. If they stayed, they would become citizens of Alabama and the U.S., meaning they had to follow state laws.

Land Scams and Violence

Many land buyers and settlers started to trick the Creek people out of their land pieces. This led to some violent reactions from the Creek people who were being cheated. U.S. officials called these events a "war." They did this to argue that the Creek people were breaking their earlier agreements and losing their rights.

The Secretary of War, Lewis Cass, sent General Winfield Scott to stop the violence. General Scott was ordered to forcibly move the Creek people to the Indian Territory, which was west of the Mississippi River.