The term "Five Civilized Tribes" refers to five distinct Native American nations: the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, (Muskogee) Creek, and Seminole. What binds these groups together is their shared history, geographical origin in the Southeastern United States, and their unique position in the early interactions between European colonists and Native American populations. These tribes demonstrated a remarkable capacity for adaptation and adopted numerous aspects of European culture and governance, leading to their collective designation as the "Five Civilized Tribes."
Origins in the Southeast Cultural Area
Prior to European contact, each of the Five Civilized Tribes occupied extensive territories within the Southeast Cultural Area. This region, characterized by its fertile lands, abundant waterways, and temperate climate, fostered thriving agricultural societies. The Cherokee, for example, controlled a vast domain spanning the present-day states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Chickasaw homeland encompassed areas of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, while the Choctaw primarily resided in what is now Mississippi. The Creek Confederacy, a diverse alliance of Muskogean-speaking peoples, held sway over much of present-day Alabama and Georgia. The Seminole, initially an offshoot of the Creek, eventually established their own distinct identity in Florida.
These societies developed sophisticated systems of agriculture, cultivating crops such as corn, beans, and squash. They built permanent settlements, often centered around earthen mounds that served as ceremonial and residential platforms. Social structures were complex, with clan systems, hierarchical leadership, and elaborate ceremonial traditions. Oral history played a crucial role in preserving their heritage and transmitting knowledge across generations.
Early Encounters with Europeans
The arrival of European explorers and colonists in the Southeast marked a turning point in the history of the Five Civilized Tribes. Encounters with Europeans, beginning in the 16th century, brought both opportunities and challenges. Trade became an important aspect of the relationship, with Native Americans exchanging furs, deerskins, and other goods for European manufactured items such as tools, textiles, and firearms. However, this exchange also introduced diseases to which Native Americans had no immunity, resulting in devastating epidemics that decimated populations.
As European settlement expanded, competition for land and resources intensified. The colonists increasingly encroached upon Native American territories, leading to conflicts and displacement. Despite these challenges, the Five Civilized Tribes sought to maintain their autonomy and adapt to the changing circumstances.
Adopting European Ways
The "civilized" designation arose from the tribes’ conscious efforts to incorporate elements of European culture into their societies. This included adopting written languages, establishing constitutional governments, embracing agriculture techniques, and adopting European style of dress.
The Cherokee, perhaps the most prominent example, developed a written syllabary in the early 19th century, created by Sequoyah. This allowed them to transcribe their language and publish newspapers, books, and legal documents. The Cherokee Nation also established a formal government with a written constitution, a bicameral legislature, and a court system.
The other tribes also made strides in adopting European practices. The Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole established their own forms of constitutional government, promoted education, and encouraged agriculture. These efforts were driven by a desire to maintain their sovereignty and protect their lands in the face of increasing pressure from the United States government and settlers.
The Dawes Rolls and Tribal Membership
The Dawes Rolls represent a pivotal moment in the history of the Five Civilized Tribes. In 1893, the United States Congress established the Dawes Commission, named after its chairman Senator Henry L. Dawes, with the purpose of dissolving tribal land ownership and allotting individual parcels of land to tribal members in Oklahoma. This was intended to assimilate Native Americans into American society and open up remaining tribal lands to white settlement.
Over 250,000 individuals applied for enrollment, but just over 100,000 were ultimately approved and their names were recorded on the Dawes Rolls. This list included names, sex, blood degree, and census card number of those enrolled. The Dawes Rolls have become a crucial genealogical resource for individuals seeking to prove Native American ancestry and establish tribal membership.
Today, the Five Civilized Tribes continue to use the Dawes Rolls as a foundational document for determining tribal citizenship, often requiring applicants to demonstrate direct lineage to an individual listed on the rolls.
Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears
Despite their efforts to assimilate and coexist peacefully, the Five Civilized Tribes faced relentless pressure from the United States government to cede their lands and relocate west of the Mississippi River. The election of President Andrew Jackson in 1828 marked a turning point, as Jackson was a staunch advocate of Indian removal.
In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which authorized the president to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes for their removal to lands west of the Mississippi. While the act was ostensibly voluntary, it was used to pressure the Five Civilized Tribes into signing removal treaties.
The forced removal of the Five Civilized Tribes, known as the Trail of Tears, was a tragic and devastating chapter in American history. Thousands of Native Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands and marched hundreds of miles to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) under harsh conditions. Many died from disease, starvation, and exposure along the way.
Life in Indian Territory and the Civil War
In Indian Territory, the Five Civilized Tribes sought to rebuild their nations and preserve their cultures. Each tribe established its own government, schools, and economic systems. However, their autonomy was constantly challenged by the United States government, which retained ultimate authority over the territory.
The outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 further complicated matters. The Five Civilized Tribes were deeply divided over the issue of slavery and allegiance to the Union or the Confederacy. Some members supported the Confederacy, while others sided with the Union, leading to internal conflicts and civil war within the tribes.
Following the Civil War, the United States government imposed new treaties on the Five Civilized Tribes, requiring them to abolish slavery and grant citizenship to their former slaves, known as Freedmen. The issue of Freedmen citizenship became a contentious one, with some tribes resisting the full integration of Freedmen into their societies.
Dissolution of Tribal Lands and Oklahoma Statehood
In the late 19th century, the United States government adopted a policy of allotment, dividing tribal lands into individual parcels and distributing them to tribal members. The aim was to break up tribal governments and assimilate Native Americans into American society. This policy, implemented through the Dawes Act of 1887, had a devastating impact on the Five Civilized Tribes, leading to the loss of vast amounts of land and the erosion of tribal sovereignty.
In 1907, Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory were merged to form the state of Oklahoma. The Five Civilized Tribes were incorporated into the new state, and their tribal governments were formally dissolved.
The Legacy of the Five Civilized Tribes
Despite the many challenges they have faced, the Five Civilized Tribes have persevered and continue to thrive today. They have revitalized their cultures, languages, and governments, and they play an active role in the political, economic, and social life of Oklahoma.
The legacy of the Five Civilized Tribes is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and determination to maintain their identity in the face of adversity. Their story serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of Native Americans in the United States. The Five Civilized Tribes offer a lesson of resilience and hope.