Five Civilized Tribes

Definition

The Five Civilized Tribes refers to five Native American nations—Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole—that were known for adopting various cultural and social practices of European Americans in the early 19th century. These tribes established agricultural economies, built schools, and formed complex governments, which created a dynamic relationship with the United States, particularly in the context of shifting alliances, territorial expansion, forced relocation, and federal policies aimed at Indian removal.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Five Civilized Tribes were called 'civilized' by European Americans because they adopted many cultural practices and governance structures similar to those of white settlers.
2. These tribes played crucial roles in regional politics during the early 19th century, often forming alliances or rivalries with European American settlers.
3. The Cherokee Nation developed a written alphabet and established a newspaper, demonstrating their commitment to education and governance.
4. Despite their attempts to assimilate and engage with U.S. government systems, these tribes faced immense pressure to relocate due to expansionist policies.
5. The Indian Removal Act specifically targeted the Five Civilized Tribes, leading to tragic events like the Trail of Tears as they were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands.

Review Questions

• How did the Five Civilized Tribes adapt their societies in response to European American influences during the early 19th century?
  • The Five Civilized Tribes adapted by incorporating various European American cultural practices into their societies. They established agricultural economies, implemented formal education systems, and created complex political structures that mirrored those of white settlers. This adaptation was partly a strategy for coexistence with expanding American society and aimed at ensuring their survival amidst mounting pressures for removal.
• Discuss the implications of the Indian Removal Act on the Five Civilized Tribes and how it reflected broader attitudes toward Native Americans during this period.
  • The Indian Removal Act had devastating implications for the Five Civilized Tribes as it formalized federal policies aimed at displacing them from their lands. This act reflected broader attitudes of racial superiority and manifest destiny prevalent among many white Americans, who viewed Native Americans as obstacles to progress. The result was not only the loss of ancestral lands but also significant suffering during forced relocations such as the Trail of Tears.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of forced removal policies on the cultural identities and sovereignty of the Five Civilized Tribes in contemporary America.
  • The long-term consequences of forced removal policies have been profound for the Five Civilized Tribes. Although these tribes have maintained aspects of their cultural identities through language preservation, revitalization efforts, and community building, their sovereignty has been challenged by historical trauma and ongoing legal battles for rights over land and resources. The legacy of these policies continues to influence tribal governance, economic development, and relations with the U.S. government today.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the federal government to negotiate treaties to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears: The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation and other tribes from their homelands to designated Indian Territory during the 1830s, resulting in significant suffering and loss of life.

Treaty of New Echota: An 1835 treaty between the U.S. government and a small faction of the Cherokee Nation that resulted in the forced removal of the Cherokee people, despite opposition from the majority of the tribe.