Customer Reviews

The American Revolution in Indian Country: Crisis and Diversity in Native American Communities (Studies in North American Indian History)

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The title and format (small print, footnotes on every page) of this delightful little book have probably scared away the general reader. That is regretable, for although it is slightly dense (a few too many unfamiliar proper nouns for extreme ease of reading), the book is quite accessible. With a prologue, ten chapters, an epilogue, and an index in just over 300 pages, the individual chapters are relatively brief and crisp. The organizational scheme (focusing 8 of the chapters on particular Indian communities from Maine to Florida) creates a subtle and complex portrait of Native Americans during the Revolutionary Era. Both diversity (of these communities and of their responses to the Revolution) and commonality (of the challenges they faced during the late 18th century) are addressed. Economic factors such as trade & technology, political factors including international relations, and cultural factors including religion & social changes are examined along with tales of many interesting individuals. Not perhaps a book for everyone, but certainly a book for more than just academic readers....

During the American Revolution, most Indians sided with the British or attempted to remain neutral. A few Indian nations supported the Patriots. Indians viewed the settlers as the main threat to their lands and livelihood. Since many settlers sided with George Washington, Indians naturally tended to support the Loyalist side. The Patriots responded with systematic attacks on Indian settlements, burning down buildings, storehouses and cornfields as they went, thereby confirming the Indian's fears.

"The American Revolution in Indian Country" isn't a detailed, chronological overview of the actual warfare between Indians and White Americans. Although the cover shows Joseph Brant, he is only a minor character in the book itself. Rather, the author has concentrated on a few select communities, describing how the various phases of the War of Independence affected these.

One chapter deals with the Indian town of Odanak at the Canadian-American border, a town inhabited by the Abenaki. This Native group lived relatively dispersed over a large territory and managed to keep out of the war. More tragic was the fate of the Iroquis Confederation, which split during the war and went down to utter destruction. The author tells how the factional infighting among the Iroquis affected the community of Oquaga at the Susquehanna River. There is also a chapter on Fort Niagara, a British fort which became surrounded by virtual refugee camps during the war, the refugees being pro-British Indians.

Equally interesting is the section about the pro-American Indian town of Stockbridge, which was overrun by apparently ungrateful settlers after the Patriot victory. The final part of the book introduces us to the Seminoles (or proto-Seminoles), one of the few successful Indian groups during this period. The Seminoles staunchly supported the British, but when Florida became Spanish, the new colonial governor decided to maintain cordial relations with them. At the time, the Seminoles controlled large parts of the Florida hinterlands.

There are also chapters on Shawnees, Cherokees and the Chickasaw.

Personally, I think Calloway's book is unsuited for the general reader. It's probably better for more advanced students of the subject, since only the first chapter contains something resembling a general overview of the Indian wars. However, if you already know the basic facts, you might find it an interesting addition to the literature on American Indian history.