The Potawatomis

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The Potawatomi Indians were the dominant tribe in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and southern Michigan during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. They actively participated in the fur trade and maintained strong ties with French traders and leaders, remaining loyal to New France throughout the colonial period. Unlike some neighboring tribes, they resisted the allure of British trade goods. During colonial wars, Potawatomi warriors fought alongside French allies against British forces in Pennsylvania and New York. As French influence waned, the Potawatomis reluctantly shifted their allegiance to the British, fighting against Americans in the Revolution, Tecumseh’s uprising, and the War of 1812. The influx of white settlers after these conflicts created significant challenges for the tribe. They resisted becoming farmers, instead adopting the lifestyle of their French trading partners. However, aggressive actions by some tribe members led to military responses from the U.S. government and settlers. Ultimately, under pressure, the Potawatomis ceded their lands to the United States for annuities, often through fraudulent treaties, and were forced to relocate west of the Mississippi, enduring great turmoil. This volume serves as the first scholarly history of the Potawatomis, highlighting their leaders and their impact on Indian-white relations in the Great Lakes region, and providing insights into U.S. policies toward o