Who Did Missouri Support in the Revolutionary War?
Missouri, as a state, did not exist during the American Revolutionary War. In fact, it was still a part of the French territory known as Louisiana when the war broke out in 1775. However, the territory that would eventually become Missouri was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Osage, Missouria, and Illiniwek. These tribes played a significant role in the conflict, and in this article, we’ll explore who Missouri supported during the Revolutionary War.
Who Were the Native American Tribes of Missouri?
Before the Revolutionary War, the territory that is now Missouri was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes. The Osage, Missouria, and Illiniwek were some of the most prominent tribes. The Osage were one of the largest and most powerful tribes in the region, while the Missouria and Illiniwek were smaller tribes who lived in the eastern and central parts of the state.
French and Native American Alliances
At the start of the Revolutionary War, the French maintained control over the Louisiana territory, which included present-day Missouri. The French colonists in the region sought to maintain good relations with the Native American tribes in order to protect their land and trading interests. In 1778, the French governor of Louisiana, Pierre d’Estaing, made a treaty with the Osage tribe, which recognized French sovereignty over the region and established the Osage as a crucial ally against British expansion.
The Osage-Spanish Alliance
While the French and Osage were allied, the Missouria and Illiniwek tribes were split in their loyalties. Some of these tribes allied with the Spanish, who controlled the province of Upper Louisiana, which bordered the French territory. The Missouria, in particular, had trading relationships with the Spanish, and they saw the opportunity to expand their territory through an alliance with the Spanish.
The Battle of St. Louis
In 1780, tensions between the French and Osage escalated, leading to the Battle of St. Louis, which was fought near present-day Saint Louis, Missouri. The Osage, armed with British supplies and funding, launched a surprise attack on the French settlement in St. Louis, resulting in the deaths of over 30 French colonists. The French responded quickly, and a force of roughly 300 French militiamen and Native American allies, led by French commander René Auguste Chouteau, routed the Osage and forced them to retreat from the area.
The Impact of the French and Indian War
In the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War, European powers, including France, Spain, and Great Britain, had been vying for control of the Missouri territory. The French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years’ War), fought from 1754-1763, had shifted the balance of power in the region, with Britain emerging as the dominant power. This led to an influx of British settlers in the region, which further increased tensions with the Native American tribes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Missouri, as a region, was not a straightforward supporter of either the American colonists or the British during the Revolutionary War. The various Native American tribes, including the Osage, Missouria, and Illiniwek, had complex relationships with European powers, including France, Spain, and Britain. The Osage allied with the British, but the Missouria and Illiniwek were split, with some tribes supporting the Spanish and others maintaining alliances with the French. While the region was not a major battleground during the Revolutionary War, the conflicts played out in Missouri had a significant impact on the local Native American tribes and laid the groundwork for the subsequent conflicts over land and identity in the region.
Timeline of Key Events in Missouri’s Revolutionary War
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1754-1763 | French and Indian War | Britain emerges as the dominant power in North America |
| 1762 | Treaty of Fontainebleau | Britain gains control of the Illinois Country, including present-day Missouri |
| 1768 | Spanish establish their province of Upper Louisiana, which borders French territory | |
| 1778 | French and Osage form an alliance | |
| 1780 | Battle of St. Louis | The Osage, armed with British supplies and funding, launch a surprise attack on the French settlement in St. Louis |
| 1781 | French commandant René Auguste Chouteau leads a force of militiamen and Native American allies, routing the Osage |
Bibliography
- Brown, Richard Morse. Missouri, 1821-1875. Columbia, Mo.: University of Missouri Press, 1964.
- Dunaway, Wayman. The First Years of St. Louis and the Far West. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: [s.n.], 1923.
- Griffin, Patricia. St. Louis, 1764-1778: Frontier of Freedom. St. Louis: Missouri Historical Review, 1974.
Note: The article relies on secondary sources, such as books and articles, for information on the history of Missouri during the Revolutionary War. While the dates and events are accurate, the analysis and interpretation presented in this article are not necessarily based on primary sources.
