Five Civilized Tribes

Definition

The Five Civilized Tribes refers to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee), and Seminole nations, which were recognized for adopting various aspects of European-American culture during the 18th and 19th centuries. These tribes engaged in agriculture, established schools, and created written constitutions, positioning themselves as 'civilized' in the eyes of European settlers. Their status impacted the federal policies directed toward them, especially during the period of Indian Removal.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Five Civilized Tribes were considered 'civilized' due to their adaptation of European customs, such as agriculture, written language, and established governance systems.
2. Each of these tribes developed a unique written constitution that incorporated democratic principles inspired by the U.S. government.
3. Despite their efforts to assimilate and coexist peacefully, they faced significant pressure from state governments and settlers eager for land.
4. The Indian Removal Act specifically targeted these tribes, leading to widespread displacement and suffering as they were forced from their ancestral lands.
5. The legacy of the Five Civilized Tribes is complex; while they adopted certain Western practices, they also fiercely resisted removal and fought to maintain their cultural identities.

Review Questions

• How did the cultural adaptations of the Five Civilized Tribes influence their interactions with European settlers?
  • The Five Civilized Tribes adopted agricultural practices, established schools, and created written languages and constitutions, which facilitated a more complex interaction with European settlers. By embracing these aspects of European culture, they aimed to demonstrate their civilization and earn respect from settlers. However, these adaptations did not ultimately protect them from displacement as settler expansion continued to threaten their existence.
• Analyze how federal policies like the Indian Removal Act specifically targeted the Five Civilized Tribes despite their assimilation efforts.
  • Federal policies such as the Indian Removal Act were enacted in response to growing settler demand for land. The perceived civilization of the Five Civilized Tribes was undermined by political motivations where assimilation was seen as a threat rather than an achievement. The act facilitated the forced relocation of these tribes, disregarding their established communities and institutions, illustrating how federal policies often conflicted with tribal sovereignty.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the actions taken against the Five Civilized Tribes on Native American identity and sovereignty today.
  • The removal and forced relocation of the Five Civilized Tribes had lasting impacts on Native American identity and sovereignty that are still felt today. These actions created significant trauma and loss within these communities that disrupted traditional ways of life and governance. The legacy of resistance against removal has also become a source of pride and resilience for many Native peoples today, influencing contemporary movements for recognition, rights, and cultural revival while continuing to challenge historical narratives surrounding assimilation.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears: The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation in 1838-1839, during which thousands died from exposure, disease, and starvation while traveling to their new territory.

Treaty of New Echota: A controversial treaty signed in 1835 that led to the removal of the Cherokee people from their homeland, despite significant opposition from within the tribe.