Tecumseh and Indian Relations in 1812 Presented By: Alex Godwin U.S. History PowerPoint Pg. 229-231

War Hawks Because of recent elections, many of the older men had been wiped out and therefore replaced with younger more arrogant men. These men were mainly from the South and West. They were known as the group of war hawks who were looking to start a new war with the old opponent, Great Britain. They were tried of hearing that their fathers did it all, meaning over-taking the British single-handedly. They wanted to make history on their own and wanted their new aggressive views and ideas achieved.

The Western war hawks also wanted to control and put an end to the Indian threats on the frontier.

Shawnee Brothers As the Indians just watched, more and more whites moved in the area of Kentucky and the surrounding wilderness. Two Shawnee brothers decided to take a stand for their people. Their names was Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa or also known as the Prophet. They started gathering up followers from all the tribes east of the Mississippi River. This movement brought about unity and cultural renewal. Clothed in traditional buckskin garments, the followers were told not to acknowledge the white man’s ownership of land. Also, no Indian should give control of land to a white unless all Indians agreed.

The frontiersmen and the war hawks believed that British scalp buyers in Canada was supporting the Indians. Therefore, they appointed William Henry Harrison which was the governor of the Indian territory, to gather an army.

The Battle of Tippecanoe William Henry Harrison and his group attacked Tecumseh’s headquarters at Tippecanoe. The group killed Tenskwatawa, the Prophet, up-rooted the Shawnee tribe and then burned the camp to the ground.

The Death of Tecumseh Harrison was well-liked after what he accomplished at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh was later killed by Harrison at the Battle of the Thames in 1813. Tecumseh fought fiercely for Britain until his death. When he died, the dream of an Indian Confederacy did as well.

Battle of Horseshoe Bend In the South, Andrew Jackson crushed the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. This broke the Indian rebellion and left the entire area east of the Mississippi River open for safe settlement.