Treaty of Greenville

Definition

The Treaty of Greenville, signed in 1795, was an agreement between the United States and various Native American tribes that ended the Northwest Indian War. This treaty aimed to establish peace and delineate territory between American settlers and Indigenous peoples in the Ohio region, highlighting the complex relationships between Native tribes and the emerging U.S. government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Treaty of Greenville marked the end of hostilities following the defeat of a confederation of Native American tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.
2. Under the terms of the treaty, Native tribes ceded significant land in present-day Ohio to the United States while retaining certain rights to hunt and fish in those territories.
3. The treaty laid the groundwork for further U.S. expansion into the Northwest Territory, as it encouraged settlers to move into areas previously held by Native Americans.
4. Although the treaty aimed to establish peace, it did not resolve underlying tensions and conflicts between Native American tribes and European settlers.
5. The Treaty of Greenville is often viewed as a pivotal moment in U.S.-Native American relations, illustrating both the U.S. government's approach to land acquisition and its impact on Indigenous sovereignty.

Review Questions

• What were the main outcomes of the Treaty of Greenville for both Native American tribes and the United States government?
  • The Treaty of Greenville resulted in significant land cessions from various Native American tribes to the United States, effectively establishing U.S. control over much of present-day Ohio. For Native tribes, while the treaty aimed to secure peace and certain rights to hunt and fish, it also marked a significant loss of territory and autonomy. This agreement set a precedent for future treaties, influencing how land negotiations would be conducted between the U.S. government and Indigenous peoples.
• Analyze how the Treaty of Greenville reflected the broader goals of U.S. expansion during the late 18th century.
  • The Treaty of Greenville exemplified the United States' broader goals of territorial expansion and settlement during the late 18th century. By ceding large portions of land from Native tribes, it facilitated American westward migration into the Northwest Territory. The treaty was part of a series of agreements that demonstrated an aggressive stance toward acquiring land, emphasizing economic growth and settlement over Indigenous rights, which often led to further conflict and dispossession.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the Treaty of Greenville on Native American sovereignty and U.S. policy towards Indigenous peoples in subsequent decades.
  • The Treaty of Greenville had lasting implications for Native American sovereignty, as it set a precedent for future treaties that often resulted in further land loss and diminished tribal autonomy. The U.S. policy towards Indigenous peoples increasingly leaned toward forced assimilation and removal rather than coexistence. This trajectory culminated in more aggressive policies in the 19th century, such as Indian Removal Acts, fundamentally altering Native American life and governance while reinforcing federal control over Indigenous affairs.

Related terms

Northwest Ordinance: A law passed in 1787 that created a framework for the governance and admission of new states from the Northwest Territory.

Fort Wayne: A strategic military post established by the U.S. government that played a significant role in negotiations and conflicts with Native American tribes during this period.

Native American Sovereignty: The concept that Native American tribes have the inherent right to self-governance and control over their own affairs, separate from federal or state authority.