American-Indian Wars: Background Of The Seminole Wars

The Seminole wars were a series of wars fought between the United States military and the Seminole Indians in the long line of American-Indian Wars. Their consequences and influence over the Southeastern United States is undeniable. I will talk about the background of the Seminole Wars, including the history of the Florida region in relation to Native Americans, as well as general United States policy regarding Natives, each of the wars individually, and finally the effect these wars had on the region. Of these Indian Wars, the Seminole Wars would prove to be the longest and most expensive. There would exist palpable tension between European settlers and Native Americans from the 16th century to present. This of course stemmed from vast cultural

The United State’s policy towards Native Americans would be in stark contrast to even the British but especially the Spanish. The U.S.’s policy was one of relocation and replacement. If the Natives did not go on their own accord, they would be forced out. The beginnings of direct conflict between the Seminoles and the United States can be traced back to the Revolutionary War, but more importantly, the War of 1812. During this war, the British recruited many Indian allies and the Seminoles were amongst them. As well as Indians, the British recruited runaway slaves to take part in the war and help draw U.S. forces south. When the War ended in a stalemate, the British left behind a fort to be manned by these slaves and Indians they had recruited. This fort was called “Negro Fort,” and it was located along the Apalachicola River in

C. Calhoun. This would lead to the First Seminole War. With a force of around 2,800 and 1,400 Indian allies, Jackson’s forces pushed in attacking a Spanish fort and multiple Indian villages (Covington). He was able to destroy most of the important black and Indian villages. Although Jackson won multiple tactical victories against outnumbered foe initially, there would be consequences to his unsanctioned incursion. The Spanish had already been in talks with the United States government to sell Florida when Jackson attacked (Britannica). John Quincy Adams was secretary of state at the time and it fell on him to finagle an agreement with the Spanish after Jackson’s stunt. Officially, the US apologized for the seizure of western Florida, but maintained the actions were necessary to prevent raiding by Indians. They eventually came to an agreement in the Adams–Onís Treaty. This treaty settled a border disputed in Spanish Texas in exchange for the complete cession of Florida to the U.S. Two British men were captured and executed under the guise of aiding the enemy and Britain protested with demands of reparations (Missall). However, the British decided against risking another war with the U.S. over this. At home in the U.S. people seemed to be split by Jackson’s excursion. He was already a wildly popular man, but many worried his popularity and