Dissertation
From Crying Blood to Capitalism: The Transition of Tribal Leadership in the Revolutionary Era
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2020
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118407
Abstract
Derived from extensive work in archives across three American states, my research project, entitled “From Crying Blood to Capitalism: The Transition of Tribal Leadership in the Revolutionary Era,” is focused on the contributions of Native American tribal leadership to the foundational commercial and diplomatic policies of the new American government during the fallout of the American Revolutionary War. Anchored in deconstructing of the role of the Creek Confederacy, led by legendary “Negotiating Chief” Alexander McGillivray, and the stymying of the Six Nations, led by “War Chief” Joseph Brant, this project highlights the effectiveness of these tribal leaders in holding vast tracts of land in the face of Anglo-American aggression largely without having to resort to using military force. Similarly, this study underscores the instability of the fledgling federal government, particularly through the diplomatic failings of the American Founding Fathers, and its inability to adequately control former colonial outposts along the frontier. Further embedded in this argument is a deeper look into the disagreements between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson concerning the fate and status of indigenous populations and their treatment. This project also aims to prove that although the final cascading blow to indigenous power at the edges of the American frontier came from those traditionally associated with “Indian Removal,” removal policies were nonetheless rooted deep in the construction of a governmental framework from this era that eventually allowed the removal of tribes along the frontier to take place The result of this study is not to determine whether Native American leadership triumphed or failed during this time, but to show the shift in the paradigm tribal leaders faced along the frontier. It also aims to complicate the underchallenged assumptions made about early American leadership, including that the American government could readily will its way to authority over Native Americans, or that the westward expansion of American “settlers” was inevitable.
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Details
- Title
- From Crying Blood to Capitalism: The Transition of Tribal Leadership in the Revolutionary Era
- Creators
- Nicholas James Martin
- Contributors
- Lawrence Hatter (Advisor)Jennifer Thigpen (Committee Member)Ashley Wright (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- History, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 331
- Identifiers
- 99900581702101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation