5 Tribes Governments Constitutions and Reconstruction

5 Tribes The 5 tribes are the first people in Oklahoma to write constitutions that established a republican form of government. The 5 tribes are the first people in Oklahoma to write constitutions that established a republican form of government.

Choctaw Natl. Govt. Oklahoma’s first constitution (Choctaw 2 nd ) Oklahoma’s first constitution (Choctaw 2 nd ) Wrote Constitution on June 3, 1834 Wrote Constitution on June 3, 1834 Est. 3 branches of govt. Est. 3 branches of govt. Legislative-unicameral Legislative-unicameral Executive-3 district chiefs Executive-3 district chiefs Judicial- 3 appointed judges Judicial- 3 appointed judges - A bill of rights - Voting rights for all males 16 yrs. and up. - Constitution restored political authority west of the Mississippi to the Choctaws

Chickasaw natl. Govt. Initially became part of the Choctaw nation (1837) Initially became part of the Choctaw nation (1837) They found their minority status restricting They found their minority status restricting negotiated a treaty with Choctaw allowing them to create their own independent nation negotiated a treaty with Choctaw allowing them to create their own independent nation created a govt./constitution almost identical to the Choctaws, established their capital in Tishomingo created a govt./constitution almost identical to the Choctaws, established their capital in Tishomingo Cyrus Harris- elected first Chickasaw Govenor Cyrus Harris- elected first Chickasaw Govenor

Cherokee Natl. Govt. Eastern Cherokee- Eastern Cherokee- Led by John Ross Led by John Ross Arrived in Indian Territory in 1839 Arrived in Indian Territory in , , 500 Western Cherokee Led by John Jolly 5, 000 Invite eastern Cherokee to fully participate in their existing govt. Tahlonteskee as the capital

Cherokee (cont’d) Ross declines invitation and invites western Cherokee and Jolly to join the eastern Cherokee to write a new constitution together. Ross declines invitation and invites western Cherokee and Jolly to join the eastern Cherokee to write a new constitution together. Western and Jolly demand their govt. stay the same. Western and Jolly demand their govt. stay the same. Without the knowledge of Ross; is supporters invoke the law of blood revenge- Without the knowledge of Ross; is supporters invoke the law of blood revenge-

Cherokee (cont’d) June 22, 1839 June 22, 1839 Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot (all signers of the Treaty of New Echota) were all brutally killed. Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot (all signers of the Treaty of New Echota) were all brutally killed. Stand Watie gathered members of the treaty party to avenge the death of his uncle, cousin and brother. Stand Watie gathered members of the treaty party to avenge the death of his uncle, cousin and brother. For 7 years the two groups carried on a blood feud (conflict between family members that ends in murder) For 7 years the two groups carried on a blood feud (conflict between family members that ends in murder) Ross calls together ALL Cherokee in July to organize a new govt. for all Cherokee (not many westerns show up) Ross calls together ALL Cherokee in July to organize a new govt. for all Cherokee (not many westerns show up)

Cherokee (cont’d) July 12, 1839 July 12, 1839 Convention adopted “Act of Union” which declared that the Eastern and Western Cherokee were a “one body politic” Convention adopted “Act of Union” which declared that the Eastern and Western Cherokee were a “one body politic” 2 nd Convention- adopted a fundamental organizing law 2 nd Convention- adopted a fundamental organizing law 3 rd convention- Western Cherokee participated (1840) constitution was ratified and set Tahlequah as the tribal capital. 3 rd convention- Western Cherokee participated (1840) constitution was ratified and set Tahlequah as the tribal capital. Remained in place for the next 66 years. Remained in place for the next 66 years.

Creek Natl. Govt. Creeks Creeks No experience with a constitutional govt. No experience with a constitutional govt. Had come in 2 different groups (like Cherokee) Had come in 2 different groups (like Cherokee) Treaty party- Lower Creeks in 1826 Treaty party- Lower Creeks in 1826 Upper Creeks (1836) Upper Creeks (1836) 15, 000 late arrivals agreed to accept the leadership of the 2, 500 western Creeks led by Roley McIntosh 15, 000 late arrivals agreed to accept the leadership of the 2, 500 western Creeks led by Roley McIntosh New Creeks also agreed to live in a remote district of the homeland to continue dual division of the tribe. New Creeks also agreed to live in a remote district of the homeland to continue dual division of the tribe. Govt. among Creeks was not centralized Govt. among Creeks was not centralized Each of the 50 towns was important Each of the 50 towns was important Each town had a Head Chief (king) and second chief Each town had a Head Chief (king) and second chief Upper Town Council Upper Town Council Lower Town Council Lower Town Council Both joined together on a National Council Both joined together on a National Council

Creek (cont’d) organized national council organized national council Upper and Lower Creeks joined to write first (written) constitution Upper and Lower Creeks joined to write first (written) constitution Maintained 2 divisions of the tribe Maintained 2 divisions of the tribe Including the dual executive branch Including the dual executive branch Changed town and chief divisions to elected positions Changed town and chief divisions to elected positions Lower elect Motey Kennard Lower elect Motey Kennard Upper elect Echo Harjo as principal chiefs Upper elect Echo Harjo as principal chiefs

Seminole Govt. Least organized govt. of 5 tribes Least organized govt. of 5 tribes Federal govt. wanted the 4, 000 Florida natives to become part of the Creek Nation- Seminoles objected. Federal govt. wanted the 4, 000 Florida natives to become part of the Creek Nation- Seminoles objected. In Seminoles settled on Little River (near Wewoka) and lived by their own laws. In Seminoles settled on Little River (near Wewoka) and lived by their own laws. For them (like Creeks) basic govt. unit was the town. For them (like Creeks) basic govt. unit was the town. 25 Seminole towns had chiefs, council of warriors, and often acted independently. 25 Seminole towns had chiefs, council of warriors, and often acted independently. Dissatisfied with partial autonomy form the Creeks, want to set up a colony in Mexico Dissatisfied with partial autonomy form the Creeks, want to set up a colony in Mexico Creeks agreed to Seminole independence in a treaty signed in Creeks agreed to Seminole independence in a treaty signed in New Chief John Jumper New Chief John Jumper

Reconstruction Economic- Economic- Traditionalists-farming (corn, beans, potatoes, peas, pumpkin, melons) fruit trees Traditionalists-farming (corn, beans, potatoes, peas, pumpkin, melons) fruit trees Most did not plant for commercial market- surpluses were sold to forts and people in border towns Most did not plant for commercial market- surpluses were sold to forts and people in border towns With help of slave labor they plant cotton in lowlands of rivers With help of slave labor they plant cotton in lowlands of rivers Steamboats carried harvest to New Orleans and sometimes Cinnicinati. Steamboats carried harvest to New Orleans and sometimes Cinnicinati.

Reconstruction Robert M Jones (Choctaw) was one of the most successful cotton growers. Robert M Jones (Choctaw) was one of the most successful cotton growers. Maintained 6 large Red River plantations Maintained 6 large Red River plantations Owned more than 300 slaves Owned more than 300 slaves Operated his own steamboats Operated his own steamboats

Slavery The Indians had slaves before removal! The Indians had slaves before removal! The Cherokee owned the most with The Cherokee owned the most with Grew rapidly in West. Grew rapidly in West. By 1860 there were 8300 slaves in I.T. By 1860 there were 8300 slaves in I.T. Making up 14% of the population Making up 14% of the population

Slavery Was different among the 5 tribes (than the rest of the American South) slaves could: Was different among the 5 tribes (than the rest of the American South) slaves could: Cultivate their own crops Cultivate their own crops Had personal property Had personal property Acted as interpreters Acted as interpreters Moved about with relative freedom Moved about with relative freedom Often intermarriage between Indians and African slaves. (even though it was illegal) Often intermarriage between Indians and African slaves. (even though it was illegal)