Treaty at the Forks of the Wabash (1834) facts for kids
The Treaty at the Forks of the Wabash (1834) was an important agreement between the United States government and the Miami tribe. It is also known as the Treaty with the Miami or the Treaty of the Wabash. This treaty was signed on October 24, 1834, at a place called the Forks of the Wabash in north central Indiana.
Contents
What Was the Treaty of the Wabash?
This treaty was a formal agreement. It involved representatives from the United States and leaders of the Miami tribe. The Miami people lived in a special area known as the Big Miami Reserve. This reserve was a large piece of land set aside for them.
Why Was This Treaty Made?
The United States government wanted to gain more land in Indiana. This treaty was one of the first steps in a series of agreements to acquire land from the Miami people in the Big Miami Reserve. Treaties like this were how the U.S. government often expanded its territory.
What Did Both Sides Agree To?
The 1834 treaty had nine main parts. Here's what was agreed upon:
- The Miami tribe agreed to give up some of their land in the Big Miami Reserve to the U.S. government.
- In return, the United States agreed to pay the Miami tribe $280,000.
- The U.S. also promised to give specific pieces of land to certain Miami individuals.
- Another agreement was that the U.S. would provide a miller. A miller is a person who runs a mill, which grinds grain into flour. This mill would be for the Miami people to use.
- Finally, the United States agreed to pay the tribe $15,000. This money was to make up for horses that had been stolen from the tribe.
What Happened After the Treaty?
The 1834 treaty was the first of four treaties that aimed to acquire land in the Big Miami Reserve. By 1840, most of the land in Indiana that had once belonged to Native American tribes was now owned by the U.S. government. Only a few small areas remained for the tribes. These included the Meshingomesia Reserve along the Mississinewa River and some smaller plots of land given to individuals.
