Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

Wabanaki Confederacy

The Wabanaki Confederacy consisted of five Native American tribes who hailed from the northern part of America. The confederacy included the Penobscot, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and Micmac tribes. Colonists from the North pleaded with the Wabanaki Confederacy to aid in the American Revolution. For example, a delegation from Massachusetts wrote to them saying:

The quote above shows the desperation of the colonists to gain an alliance with the Wabanaki Confederacy during the war. Eventually, several tribes from the Wabanaki Confederacy agreed to fight alongside George Washington’s army in exchange for trading posts and promises of stopping encroachment on Native American lands.

While several tribes of the confederacy fought with the colonists, at the end of the American Revolution, previous promises were not acknowledged or kept. As a result, sometime after the war, the Wabanakis slowly lost their power, land, and hunting areas. America's attitude and policies essentially ate away at their Native culture.

Native American Tribes in the American Revolution

Table showing Native American tribes who fought for the British and for the Colonies. StudySmarter Original.

Important Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

Portrait of Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant. Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

Many Native Americans fought valiantly on both sides during the American Revolution. Mohawk chief Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) became one of the most well-known Iroquois leaders. Brant fought alongside the British and influenced several other tribes to join him. Brant believed that the British should remain head of the colonies to stop any further incursion on Mohawk lands. Leading an incursion into New York and Pennsylvania, Brant and his forces clashed with George Washington, who ultimately claimed victory. Later on, Washington attempted to include Brant in post-war negotiations.

Red Jacket, another prominent Native American from the Seneca tribe, became well known for his oratory skill. Red Jacket interceded before the war between 1775 to 1776:

However, Red Jacket's tribe became engulfed in the war, eventually fighting for the British. At the war's end, the Seneca tribe, like many others, lost their homeland. Post-war negotiations with American leadership continued from the 1780s to the 1790s, with Red Jacket predominantly speaking on behalf of the Iroquois.

Native American Heroes in the Revolutionary War

Polly Cooper

Statue of Polly Cooper. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Many Native Americans showed heroism during the American Revolution though many of their stories are not recorded. However, one notable Oneida woman, Polly Cooper, actively participated in an expedition to help the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Hearing about George Washington's starving troops, the Oneida chief sent a group of warriors and Polly Cooper with food and supplies. Cooper stayed with the army and continued to help them by teaching the soldiers how to prepare food. Without the actions of the Oneida chief and Polly Cooper, Washington's army may have never made it out of Valley Forge.

Native Americans in the Revolutionary War American Battlefield Trust

The American Revolution had dire impacts on the Native Americans. It is estimated that roughly 70,000 people died during the American Revolution due to disease and battle injuries. However, the Native American casualties are not widely known. Many tribes lost more land during the war, like the Cherokees and Iroquois. Although many people from these tribes relocated, the Iroquois eventually settled in Canada. The tribes siding with Britain counted on a swift British victory. After the colonists' victory, Native Americans became collateral damage in America's rapid and cruel westward expansion.

Iroquois Six-Nations 1720. Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

After the war, the taking of Native American land had never been a question. After the Treaty of Paris 1783, the British recognized America's independence and quickly forgot about their Native American allies. America began to build Jefferson's "empire of liberty with its independence in hand."⁶ The idea of complete equality sounded like a utopian society. However, in building the new nation, Native American lands became the foundation for the birth of America. The fledgling country also believed that Native American land was now public domain and that the Natives needed to undergo a civilizing process. Native Americans saw an all-out attack on their way of living and land. However, Native Americans did not back down and would continue to fight to keep their culture.

Native American Diplomacy After the War

Portrait of The Shawnee Prophet, Tenskwatawa, Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

Though conflict became necessary when diplomacy failed, the primary remedy after the war was diplomatic relations. Native American diplomats negotiated with other Native tribes and the newly developed American leadership. While negotiations took place, the white attitudes about Native Americans foreshadowed any actual progress with America. However, multi-tribal alliances rose due to some Native Americans' visions of creating unions to stop the land grabs. For example, one such confederacy initiated by Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa brought together Natives who sought restoration of Native American lands and cultures.

4. Willard Walker, The Wabanaki Confederacy, 1998.

5. Christopher Densmore, Red Jacket: Iroquois Diplomat and Orator, 1999.

6. Colin G. Calloway, "The Indians War of Independence," (n.d.).