Summary:
Tecumseh and the prophet were two Native Americans, which were responsible for uniting many Indian tribes to fight against Harrison and the expansion westward. The name of the prophet was Tenskwatawa, Tecumseh's brother.
Tecumseh and the prophet were two Native Americans, which were responsible for uniting many Indian tribes to fight against Harrison and the expansion west. The name of the prophet was Tenskwatawa, and he was actually Tecumseh's brother. He claims to have had a religious experience, or a "mystical awakening" when he recovers from being an alcoholic. He then went on to teach and become a religious leader in the Indian communities. He taught of the sinfulness of the white world and the "superior virtues of the Indian civilization." Prophetstown where he lived became sacred place for people of many tribes.
Tecumseh his brother was the chief of the Shawnees, and he aspired to be a leader in these times of trouble. He understood that the only way for the tribes to stop the constant advance of the whites was to band together under "The Tecumseh Confederacy." He promised that if they united, westward expansion by the whites would cease, they would recover lost lands such as the Ohio and Northwest territories, and that a border between Indian territories and the United States would be established. In 1811 Tecumseh traveled south to convince other tribes to join the alliance.
While he was away Governor Harrison saw his opportunity to dismantle the Indian alliance. He camped in the outskirts of Prophetstown with 1,000 men and on November 7, 1811 a battle ensued. Despite almost equal losses on both sides Harrison's men managed to drive off the Indians, and later burned the town. This became known as the Battle of Tippecanoe, and this dissuaded many of the Prophet's followers. Tecumseh returned to find the once growing confederacy in shambles. But there were still warriors who desired to fight, and in the spring of 1812 they began attacks on the frontier.
This is important to American history because it showed that white westward expansion was inevitable. Tecumseh saw this, and this is why he tried to ally all the tribes as one because he knew this was their last option to stop the invasion. If Tecumseh had been completely successful in uniting all the tribes his confederacy could have been a formidable force. Governor Harrison foresaw this, and after he destroyed most of the confederacy he helped facilitate westward expansion. The United States eventually take the Indian lands in 1815.
This is also important to history because it showed Americans what the British were trying to do during the war. Since the revolution had been over the Indians had often sought protection from the English. When Americans saw that the English had supplied and encouraged the native forces, it made some of them angry. Although some will argue that the English never really wanted to start a war between the natives and the Americans and simply wanted to get back to trading. And since Britain was Americas greatest trading partner they both wanted to put the past behind them and start trading again.
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