The Choctaw History Timeline chronicles the significant events shaping the history of the Choctaw people, one of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeastern United States. This timeline traces their interactions with European powers, forced removal from their ancestral lands, and their continued resilience and adaptation throughout the centuries.
Early Encounters and Shifting Alliances:
- 1540: First Contact: The year 1540 marks the first documented encounter between the Choctaw and Europeans. Hernando de Soto, a Spanish conquistador, led an expedition through the southeastern region of North America, making contact with the Choctaw. This encounter, while significant, was just the beginning of a long and complex relationship between the Choctaw and various European powers. De Soto’s exploration, though brutal, provided the first written account of the Choctaw people, their customs, and their territories.
- 1763: Westward Movement: The Treaty of Paris in 1763, ending the French and Indian War (part of the larger Seven Years’ War), drastically altered the political landscape of North America. France ceded its territories east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain. As a result, many Choctaw, who had maintained trade and diplomatic ties with the French, chose to migrate westward across the Mississippi River to maintain their independence and autonomy away from British influence. This migration marked a geographical shift in the Choctaw population and a desire to preserve their cultural identity.
Treaties and Land Cessions:
From the late 18th century into the 19th century, the Choctaw Nation was involved in numerous treaty negotiations with Spain and the United States. These treaties, often signed under duress, resulted in significant land cessions and increasingly strained relations with the United States government.
- 1784: Treaty with Spain: The Choctaw, seeking to secure their interests in the face of shifting European powers, entered into a treaty with Spain. This agreement likely focused on trade and establishing a degree of political stability in the region.
- 1786: Treaty of Hopewell: The Treaty of Hopewell was one of the first formal agreements between the Choctaw and the newly formed United States. The treaty aimed to establish peace and regulate trade, but it also laid the groundwork for future land disputes and conflicts.
- 1792: Treaty Talks: Ongoing treaty negotiations with both Spain and the United States reflect the precarious position of the Choctaw, caught between competing colonial powers vying for control of the region. These talks underscored the Choctaw’s efforts to navigate the complex political landscape and protect their lands and sovereignty.
- 1801: Treaty of Fort Adams: The Treaty of Fort Adams marked a significant cession of Choctaw land to the United States. This treaty, like many others of the period, was often negotiated under pressure and resulted in the erosion of Choctaw territory.
- 1802: Treaty of Fort Confederation: Further land cessions were formalized in the Treaty of Fort Confederation, continuing the pattern of territorial loss for the Choctaw Nation.
- 1803: Treaty of Hoe Buckintoupa: This treaty represents another instance of land being ceded to the United States government.
- 1805: Treaty of Mount Dexter: The Treaty of Mount Dexter further reduced the Choctaw land holdings, solidifying the expansionist policies of the United States.
- 1816: Treaty of Fort St. Stephens: The Treaty of Fort St. Stephens illustrates the United States government’s relentless pursuit of Choctaw lands. This treaty reflects the ongoing pressure and negotiations that characterized the relationship between the Choctaw and the United States.
- 1820: Treaty of Doak’s Stand: The Treaty of Doak’s Stand is a particularly notable example of land cession. The Choctaw were pressured to cede a substantial portion of their territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for land in present-day Oklahoma. This treaty foreshadowed the eventual forced removal of the Choctaw from their ancestral homelands.
- 1825: Treaty of Washington City: This treaty, negotiated in Washington D.C., served to ratify some terms of earlier agreements, further impacting Choctaw land and resources.
Forced Removal and the Trail of Tears:
- 1825: Population Census: A census conducted by T.C. Mc Kenny of the Indian Office estimated the Choctaw population to be approximately 21,000, residing in Mississippi and Alabama. This figure provides a snapshot of the Choctaw population prior to the devastating forced removal.
- 1830: Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek: The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek is a pivotal and tragic event in Choctaw History Timeline. It was the first removal treaty signed by a Native American tribe under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Article 14 of the treaty provided a pathway for Choctaws to remain in Mississippi and become U.S. citizens, but it was fraught with complications and often ignored. The treaty ceded the remaining Choctaw lands east of the Mississippi River to the United States.
- 1831-1833: Removal to Indian Territory: Following the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, the Choctaw were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in Mississippi and Alabama and relocated to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). This forced migration, known as the "Trail of Tears," resulted in immense suffering, hardship, and death for thousands of Choctaw people. The journey was plagued by disease, starvation, and exposure to the elements. The Choctaw were the first of the "Five Civilized Tribes" to be forcibly removed.
Rebuilding in Indian Territory:
Despite the immense challenges they faced, the Choctaw people demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in rebuilding their nation in Indian Territory.
- 1838 & 1844: Net Proceeds Case: Testimonies were taken concerning what came to be known as the Net Proceeds Case. These cases involved financial claims by the Choctaw Nation against the U.S. government related to the sale of ceded lands and resources. These cases highlight the ongoing legal battles between the Choctaw and the U.S. government regarding treaty obligations and financial compensation.
- 1855: Treaty with the Chickasaw: The Choctaw Nation, facing internal pressures and changing demographics, entered into a treaty with the Chickasaw Nation. This treaty formally separated the Chickasaw Nation from the Choctaw Nation, granting the Chickasaw their own distinct territory within Indian Territory.
- 1856: Creation of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma: The Choctaw History Timeline shows that in 1856, the Choctaw Nation formally established its government in Indian Territory, dividing the nation into three districts: Apukshunnubbee District, Moshulatubbee District, and Pushmataha District. This division reflected the geographical distribution of the Choctaw population and provided a framework for governance and administration.
- 1856: Annuity Roll (Census): A census of the Choctaw and Chickasaw was conducted as a result of the 1855 treaty. This census provided valuable demographic data and served as a basis for distributing annuity payments and other benefits.
Late 19th and 20th Centuries:
- 1867: Tribal Population: A report by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs estimated the Choctaw population in Indian Territory to be approximately 22,500. This figure reflects the population growth and recovery of the Choctaw Nation in its new territory.
- 1875 & 1889: Net Proceeds Case (Heirs): Further testimonies were taken to determine the heirs entitled to the monies won from the Net Proceeds Case, demonstrating the ongoing efforts to resolve financial claims against the U.S. government.
- 1903: Migration to Oklahoma: Approximately 300 Choctaw individuals left Mississippi and migrated to Oklahoma, seeking to join the Choctaw Nation and improve their economic and social opportunities.
- 1907: Oklahoma Statehood: Oklahoma became the 46th state of the United States. This event had a significant impact on the Choctaw Nation, as it brought increased pressure for assimilation and the dismantling of tribal governments.
- 1910: Population Distribution: The Choctaw population was recorded as 14,551 in Oklahoma and 15,917 in other states. This data reflects the dispersal of the Choctaw people across the United States, both within and outside of the Choctaw Nation.
- 1918: Choctaw Indian Agency: The establishment of the Choctaw Indian Agency in Philadelphia, Mississippi, signifies the continued presence and recognition of the Choctaw people in their ancestral homeland, despite the forced removal.
- 1945: Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Federally Recognized: The Choctaw History Timeline shows the formal federal recognition of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. This recognition marked a significant step in acknowledging the sovereignty and cultural identity of the Choctaw people who remained in Mississippi.
- 1953: Termination Policy and Urban Relocation: The U.S. Congress implemented a policy of termination for Indian tribes, aiming to end the protected trust status of Indian-owned lands. This policy, coupled with a voluntary urban relocation program, led to a significant migration of Native Americans from rural tribal areas to urban centers. Between 1950 and 1980, an estimated 750,000 Native Americans relocated to cities across the United States. This had a profound impact on the Choctaw and other tribes, creating new challenges and opportunities for cultural preservation and economic advancement.
The Choctaw History Timeline is a testament to the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Choctaw people. Despite facing immense hardship and injustice, the Choctaw have persevered and continue to thrive as a sovereign nation, preserving their cultural heritage and contributing to the rich tapestry of American history.