Difference between revisions of "Seminole"
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| − | The '''Seminole''' tribe is a [[ | + | The '''Seminole''' tribe is a [[North American Indians|Indian]] tribe that now is based in [[Oklahoma]]. The tribe began in the 1750s as refugee Creeks and other Indians moved from Georgia into Florida, where they destroyed the original Florida tribes. The Seminoles adopted many runaway black slaves. The name Seminole is a Creek word, borrowed from the Spanish "cimarrón", meaning a runaway, or a savage. |
[[File:Seminole1.jpg|thumb|230px]] | [[File:Seminole1.jpg|thumb|230px]] | ||
| − | The Seminoles were one of the Five Civilized Tribes<ref>The others were the Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws.</ref> who adapted to American standards of technology and economics. But Florida was owned by Spain, which exercised little control and allowed it to become a refuge for runaways. In 1817 U.S. General [[Andrew Jackson]] invaded Florida to stop Seminoles from aiding and providing refuge for the Creeks who were raiding American settlers of Georgia. In this ''' | + | The Seminoles were one of the Five Civilized Tribes<ref>The others were the Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws.</ref> who adapted to American standards of technology and economics. But Florida was owned by Spain, which exercised little control and allowed it to become a refuge for runaways. In 1817 U.S. General [[Andrew Jackson]] invaded Florida to stop Seminoles from aiding and providing refuge for the Creeks who were raiding American settlers of Georgia. In this '''First Seminole War''' many Seminole settlements were burned and the raids ended. Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819, and the Seminoles agreed to stay on new reservations. |
| − | In 1832 the Seminoles agreed to be removed to "Indian territory" (now [[Oklahoma]]), but before the move was completed a group led by a warrior named Osceola revolted in 1835. Osceola was captured, but the ''' | + | In 1832 the Seminoles agreed to be removed to "Indian territory" (now [[Oklahoma]]), but before the move was completed a group led by a warrior named Osceola revolted in 1835. Osceola was captured, but the '''Second Seminole War''' continued until 1842. At the end, 3000 Seminoles went to Oklahoma, but a thousand or so held out against the Army in the Everglades for years during the smaller-scale '''Third Seminole War'''. |
Today there are about 3,000 Seminoles in Oklahoma, mostly living as farmers. There are 700 or so Seminoles in Florida. | Today there are about 3,000 Seminoles in Oklahoma, mostly living as farmers. There are 700 or so Seminoles in Florida. | ||
Revision as of 21:14, September 28, 2009
The Seminole tribe is a Indian tribe that now is based in Oklahoma. The tribe began in the 1750s as refugee Creeks and other Indians moved from Georgia into Florida, where they destroyed the original Florida tribes. The Seminoles adopted many runaway black slaves. The name Seminole is a Creek word, borrowed from the Spanish "cimarrón", meaning a runaway, or a savage.
The Seminoles were one of the Five Civilized Tribes[1] who adapted to American standards of technology and economics. But Florida was owned by Spain, which exercised little control and allowed it to become a refuge for runaways. In 1817 U.S. General Andrew Jackson invaded Florida to stop Seminoles from aiding and providing refuge for the Creeks who were raiding American settlers of Georgia. In this First Seminole War many Seminole settlements were burned and the raids ended. Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819, and the Seminoles agreed to stay on new reservations.
In 1832 the Seminoles agreed to be removed to "Indian territory" (now Oklahoma), but before the move was completed a group led by a warrior named Osceola revolted in 1835. Osceola was captured, but the Second Seminole War continued until 1842. At the end, 3000 Seminoles went to Oklahoma, but a thousand or so held out against the Army in the Everglades for years during the smaller-scale Third Seminole War.
Today there are about 3,000 Seminoles in Oklahoma, mostly living as farmers. There are 700 or so Seminoles in Florida.
Further reading
- Field, Ron, and Richard Hook. The Seminole Wars 1818-58 (2009)
- Knetsch, Joe. Florida's Seminole Wars: 1817-1858 (2003) 160pp excerpt and text search
- Mahon, John K. History of the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842 (1990) excerpt and text search
references
- ↑ The others were the Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws.