NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE CIVIL WAR

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Summary

The Civil War resulted in significant social, economic, and political upheaval that was experienced by the different tribes of the Native Americans. During the war, the Native American tribes enrolled to serve in the Confederate and Union military. For the tribes, the war proved to be complicated. The war required the practice of individuals taking sides hence resulting in the splitting of families and the creation of conflict within communities that once co-existed peacefully. The principal objective of this paper-based essay is to investigate the reasons behind the participation of the tribes in the war. Further, it examines the role they played in influencing the outcome of the war. The tribes joined the war because the Confederacy was regarded as the better choice by the majority as it opposed the formation of a centralized federal system that was accused of lacking respect for the sovereignty of the Indian nations.

Conversely, among the Union states, the Native Americans had the sole decision-making authority on whether to be part of the on-going conflict or ignore it at all costs. These reasons proved to be critical in the tribes choosing a side to support in the war.  The Native Americans were of vital importance to both the Confederate and Union states. The tribes provided soldiers who fought bravely and did fight for the courses of their chosen divides in the war. Nonetheless, the Native Americans realized minimal long-term benefits despite their involvement in the war. Even though they earned respect, most of the native families were left wounded, and counting loses without any possible material gain. The Civil War like any war at that time it inflicted lasting pain and damage on the Native Americans.

1.0 Introduction to the Civil War

After years of battle, the Civil War ended up dividing the United States of America into two: the south versus the north[1]. The war is acknowledged to have been influenced by different social, political and economic issues leading to the support that each side received. The practice of individuals taking sides during the war resulted in the splitting of families and the creation of conflict within communities that once co-existed peacefully. However, various studies have revealed that the Civil War was unusually multifaceted for the Native Americans[2]. The future of the Native American tribes most especially those that resided in the warring states was influenced by the war as they were forced to make choices.

The tribes recognized that their freedom would be jeopardized if they ended up aligning with the losing side. Besides, by losing the war, they would end up being vulnerable thereby having their ancestral land occupied by their enemies. The support of the Native Americans was split due to the disagreement concerning what sides could meet their expectations and fulfill their interests[3]. This situation resulted in divisions within individual tribes where some factions decided to support the opposing sides thus resulting in the creation of further layers of conflict in the already complex war between states. This paper-based essay focuses on examining the reasons why the Native Americans participated as well as the role they played in the Civil War. Further, it investigates how the war impacted the tribes regarding political, social and economic aspects.

2.0 Why Native Americans participated in the Civil War

During the Civil War, the Native American tribes enrolled to serve in the Confederate and Union military. The Confederacy was regarded as the better choice by the majority of the tribes as it opposed the formation of a centralized federal system that was accused of lacking respect for the sovereignty of the Indian nations[4]. The Confederacy also provided the tribes such as the Choctaw and the Creek with an option of political and economic commonality. The involvement of the tribes in the war was imperative as evidenced by the appointment of a Confederate envoy, Albert Pike who acted as a liaison to the Native Americans. As an envoy, he played a significant role in the ratification of various treaties such as the 1861 Treaty with Chickasaws and Choctaws. This treaty covered in the sixty-four terms that included multiple subjects that involved the tribes, for instance, the sovereignty of the Chickasaw and Choctaw nation.

The Civil War attracted the involvement and support of over 28,000 Native Americans. The Confederate had the support of the Creek, Catawba, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and the Cherokee. In the various instance, the perspective concerning the warring factions acted as the motivation for the tribes to join into war and subsequently choose a side. For example, among the Union states, the Native Americans had the sole decision-making authority on whether to be part of the on-going conflict or ignore it at all costs. The tribes also felt the need to be part of the war due to the incentives that were being offered by the Union States and the Confederacy. The promised inducements included the establishment of good working relationships with the government that could enable the continuation of tribal traditions....