Treaty of Wapakoneta facts for kids
The Treaty of Wapakoneta was an important agreement signed on August 8, 1831. It involved the United States government and parts of the Shawnee Native American tribe living in Wapakoneta. Through this treaty, the Shawnee people had to give up their claims to land they owned in western Ohio.
In return for their Ohio lands, the United States government promised the Shawnee tribe 100,000 acres (about 400 square kilometers) of new land. This new land was located west of the Mississippi River. The US officials also agreed to give the Shawnees supplies and money. They also promised to build a sawmill (for cutting wood) and a gristmill (for grinding grain) on the new land for the tribe. This agreement is known as the Treaty of Wapakoneta, or sometimes the Treaty with the Shawnee.
What Was the Treaty of Wapakoneta?
The Treaty of Wapakoneta was a formal agreement. It was signed between the United States government and the Shawnee people. The main goal of the treaty was to move the Shawnee tribe from their homes in Ohio. They would be moved to new lands further west. This was part of a bigger plan by the US government at the time.
Why Was the Treaty Signed?
The United States government wanted to expand its territory. It also wanted to open up more land for American settlers. This led to many treaties with Native American tribes. These treaties often resulted in tribes giving up their traditional lands. The Treaty of Wapakoneta was one of these agreements. It aimed to move the Shawnee people out of Ohio.
The Idea of Indian Removal
The Treaty of Wapakoneta was part of a larger government plan. This plan was called Indian removal. It was a policy to move Native American tribes. They were moved from their ancestral lands in the eastern United States. They were relocated to lands west of the Mississippi River. This policy affected many different tribes. It changed their lives and homelands forever.
