Unit 3: Topic 12 - Movement in the Early Republic

Question 1

What was the Western Confederacy?

Answer 1

The Western Confederacy was a loose alliance (or confederacy) of Native American Tribes in the Great Lakes region. Although they were composed of several tribes, Chief Little Turtle (Michikinikwa) & the Miami tribe are the more well-known members of the alliance. With a small amount of support from the British, they waged war against the expansion of the United States from 1790-1794.

Question 2

What battle brought an end to the Western Confederacy?

Answer 2

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)
- the Western Confederacy was defeated by the United States Army
- resulted in the Treaty of Greenville
- Native Americans gave up much of Ohio, opening it up for white settlement

Question 3

How did the expanding borders of the United States create conflict on the frontier with non-natives?

Answer 3

• “Squatters”, often poor immigrants, lived illegally on land owned by others
• speculators came into conflict with squatters living on land the speculators had purchased
• state governments argued over conflicting land claims in the west

Question 4

How did the territorial expansion of slavery and rising anti-slavery sentiment conflict?

Answer 4

• Slavery had been declining in the North as the economy industrialized and increased immigration resulted in a cheap labor supply
• Due to Eli Whitney’s cotton gin, slavery was expanding across the Southern United States as it became increasingly profitable
• The contrast between the modern cities in the North and the agricultural communities in the South increased as attitudes towards slavery continued to divide the U.S.