Five Civilized Tribes

The term Five Civilized Tribes was used by the United States government to talk about five big Native American groups in the Southeast. These were the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminoles.

These tribes changed in many ways to fit in with White settlers. They set up their own governments, learned to read and write, and bought land like White families did. But White people kept moving onto the tribes’ land. This made the tribes have to leave their homes on a sad journey called the Trail of Tears.

Today, many of these tribes’ members live in Oklahoma. They still meet together and share ideas. Some people think the name “Five Civilized Tribes” isn’t fair, but the tribes are still strong and proud of their history.

Terminology

The term "civilized tribes" was used to separate the Five Tribes from other Native American tribes. Some people called these other tribes "wild" or "savage." This name came from writers and scholars who were not Native.

When George Washington was president, the United States wanted Native Americans to change their ways to be more like White settlers. The idea was that if they changed, they would need less land and might sell some to White settlers. They were expected to farm like White people and grow different crops. Some Native American groups changed parts of their lives to try to keep their land.

Today, many people think the term "Five Civilized Tribes" is old-fashioned and not used much in serious writing. Some Native Americans feel this label is unfair. Scholars also wonder what it means to be "civilized" and think the term can be judgmental.

History

The Five Civilized Tribes is a name for five big indigenous tribes who lived in the Southeastern United States. They lived in a place that had been shaped by the Mississippian culture. Before new settlers came, these tribes had rules where family ties and property came from the mother's side.

In the 1700s, leaders like George Washington wanted Native American tribes to change some of their ways to match American culture. The Five Tribes began to use some of these new ways, like farming, building homes like nearby settlers, and learning to read and write.

During the 1800s, the US government made these tribes move west of the Mississippi River to what is now Oklahoma. This was very hard for the tribes, especially the Cherokee Nation. Many people suffered during this move.

After the Civil War, the US told the tribes to free any enslaved people they owned. The tribes had to decide if these freed people could join them. Some tribes welcomed them, while others did not. This led to long discussions about membership that still continue today.

Tribes

Cherokee

Main articles: Cherokee and Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee are Native American people from the Southeastern United States, mainly from areas like Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They speak an Iroquoian language. In the 1800s, many Cherokee people moved to Oklahoma due to forced relocation by the U.S. government. Today, there are three recognized Cherokee tribes: the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

Chickasaw

Main articles: Chickasaw and Chickasaw Nation

The Chickasaw are Native American people who originally lived along the Tennessee River and in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi. They moved to Oklahoma in the 1800s. The Chickasaw are related to the Choctaw and speak a Muskogean language. They built schools and businesses in their new home and were one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" recognized by the U.S. government.

Choctaw

Main articles: Choctaw and Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw are Native American people from the Southeastern United States, including areas like Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. In the 1800s, many were forced to move to Oklahoma, where they still live today. The Choctaw are part of the Muskogean language group and have two main tribes: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

Muscogee

Main article: Muscogee

The Muscogee, also known as the Creek, originally lived in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. In the 1800s, they were forced to move to Oklahoma in what is known as the Trail of Tears. Today, Muscogee people live in Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. They are part of several federally recognized tribes.

Seminoles

Main article: Seminole

The Seminoles developed in Florida and are made up of Native Americans from Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama, as well as some African Americans who escaped slavery. In the 1800s, many Seminoles were forced to move to Oklahoma, but some stayed in the Everglades in Florida. The Seminoles never surrendered to the U.S. government and are known as the "Unconquered People". Today, Seminole tribes exist in both Oklahoma and Florida.

Works

The article references a work titled "Kill the Indian, Save the Man."