Unraveling the Hidden Role of Indian Settlers in the American Revolution

When we think about the American Revolution, popular narratives often highlight the role of prominent figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. However, behind the scenes, a lesser-known group of heroes played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the revolution: Indian settlers who resided on the northern borderland.

The Forgotten Heroes

Native American tribes in the northern borderland, including the Iroquois Confederacy, Mohawk, and Oneida, exhibited unique dynamics during the American Revolution. While some tribes favored the British Crown due to their existing alliances, others chose to align themselves with the revolutionary cause against British oppression.

The Divided Ground: Indians, Settlers, and the Northern Borderland of the American Revolution

by Alan Taylor (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4460 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	562 pages

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The Iroquois Confederacy

The Iroquois Confederacy, composed of six tribes (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora), faced a difficult decision. Many members of the confederacy had close ties with British traders and were hesitant to abandon those relationships. However, the confederacy as a whole decided not to take sides, striving to maintain neutrality.

The Role of Mohawk and Oneida

Although the Iroquois Confederacy remained neutral, individual tribes within the confederacy made independent choices. The Mohawk and Oneida nations played prominent roles on opposing sides of the conflict.

Mohawk's Alliance with Britain

The Mohawk, influenced by their British connections, formed a close alliance with the British Crown. They believed the British would protect their territorial rights and prevent further encroachment by American settlers. The Mohawk warriors proved to be formidable adversaries to the Continental Army, leading numerous successful military campaigns.

Oneida's Support for the Revolution

On the other hand, the Oneida nation chose to side with the American revolutionaries. They believed that aligning with the revolutionaries would help safeguard their lands against future colonial expansion. Oneida warriors fought alongside American soldiers, contributing to key victories such as the Battle of Oriskany.

The Impact

The involvement of Indian settlers in the northern borderland had a profound impact on the American Revolution.

Strategic Military Support

The Mohawk warriors, wielding their intimate knowledge of the terrain and utilizing guerrilla warfare tactics, dealt significant blows to the Continental Army. This forced the American revolutionaries to divert resources and attention towards defending their northern flank.

Intelligence Gathering and Communication

Indian settlers, due to their linguistic and cultural ties with various tribes, served as invaluable intermediaries and scouts for both the British and the Americans. They provided crucial intelligence regarding enemy movements and intentions, thereby influencing military strategies on both sides of the conflict.

Diplomatic Relations

The conflict also exposed the complexity of tribal relationships and compelled the revolutionaries to engage in diplomatic negotiations with Indian nations. Leaders such as General George Washington recognized the need to secure alliances with Indian tribes to ensure their support in the revolution.

It is essential to acknowledge the pivotal role played by Indian settlers in the northern borderland during the American Revolution. Their contributions, both on and off the battlefield, influenced the course of the revolution and shaped the future of the young United States.

The Divided Ground: Indians, Settlers, and the Northern Borderland of the American Revolution

by Alan Taylor (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4460 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	562 pages

FREE

From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of William Cooper's Town comes a dramatic and illuminating portrait of white and Native American relations in the aftermath of the American Revolution.

The Divided Ground tells the story of two friends, a Mohawk Indian and the son of a colonial clergyman, whose relationship helped redefine North America. As one served American expansion by promoting Indian dispossession and religious conversion, and the other struggled to defend and strengthen Indian territories, the two friends became bitter enemies. Their battle over control of the Indian borderland, that divided ground between the British Empire and the nascent United States, would come to define nationhood in North America. Taylor tells a fascinating story of the far-reaching effects of the American Revolution and the struggle of American Indians to preserve a land of their own.