The Role Of Native Americans In The American Revolutionary War

Many know that the French and British were involved in the American Revolutionary War. What many do not know is that Native Americans also played a key role in the war. Specifically, the Chickasaw Native Americans because, they were a key ally to the British. The Chickasaws were a fierce group of Native Americans that did not fear war. As a result, this caused them to stand up to Spanish forces, to trade with the British, and to side with the British during many wars, including the Revolutionary War. One of the Chickasaw Indians’ first encounters was with Hernando De Soto and his forces. The Chickasaws encountered the Spaniard in 1540, but did not fear his presence (Chickasaw). Due to the Chickasaw’s lack of fear, De Soto and his men …show more content…
In fact, Chickasaws started war with whoever was closet to them like the Creeks, and Cherokees as well (O 'Brien). In 1673, the French encountered the Chickasaw tribe and from the very first encounter, it was destined that the two would clash multiple times (“Chickasaw”). The tension between the French and Indians ignited when 150 British Colonists built Charlestown in South Carolina in 1670 (“Chickasaw”). When the British introduced themselves to the continent, the Chickasaws saw a potential ally. The main reason the British chose to be allies with the Chickasaws was because, they wanted to prevent the spreading of Spanish missions in Florida which, the British claimed as their territory (“Chickasaw”). It was not long until the British decided to trade with the Chickasaws in 1685 (“Chickasaw”). In 1698, it became routine that the British and Chickasaws started trading (“Chickasaw”). Another reason the British allied with the Chickasaws was to obtain deer skin, and other Native Americans to use as slaves on their plantations in the Carolinas and West Indies (“Chickasaw”). Right away the Chickasaws agreed to supply the British to gain an advantage over the Choctaw Indians, who were a huge Chickasaw enemy (“Chickasaw”). In exchange for the goods, the British supplied Chickasaw’s with weapons: Chickasaws paid for these weapons with women and children from other tribes, such as the Choctaw tribe (“Chickasaw”). The British in the Carolinas sold the Indian captives to sugar plantations in the Caribbean islands (“Chickasaw”). The two groups benefited from this trading relationship. Even the French saw this relationship and got worried. Father Antoine Davion from France, wanted to befriend the Chickasaws, but saw that they were under British influence (“Chickasaw”). As a result, the French and Chickasaws became