The Politics of Indian Removal: Creek Government and Society in Crisis

by Michael D. Green

In the two decades after their defeat by the United States in the Creek War in 1814, the Creek Indians of Georgia and Alabama came under increasing—ultimately irresistible—pressure from state and federal governments to abandon their homeland and retreat westward. That historic move came in 1836. This study, based heavily on a wide variety of primary sources, is distinguished for its Creek perspective on tribal affairs during a period of upheaval.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, 19th Century

268 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1982

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this title some months ago in the bibliography of another Native American history related book I was reading. Although there are no reviews by any Goodreads readers, it was rated as 4.27 stars by 15 of them. Additionally, its summary sounded interesting to me.

The author Michael Green did not disappoint in that respect. In only 186 pages of written text he provided a thorough and nuanced description of the history of and the social and cultural dynamics of the Creek tribe as they struggled with and ultimately failed to cope with the overwhelming strength of the US government. He did this by relying on such primary sources as government reports, written correspondence, affidavits, and formal treaties. His quotation of various people’s writings on both sides of the conflicts were timely and instructive.

There were 3 maps in Politics which depicted the areas of what became the states of Georgia and Alabama which the tribe inhabited. The maps also portrayed where the Creeks eventually relocated from Georgia to Alabama. These were very helpful for a reader like me who was completely unfamiliar with this aspect of their history. I wish, however, Green had included another, more detailed map or two. This was because he made reference to some towns which were not depicted.

I would offer one caution about this book: the interactions of tribal leaders amongst themselves and with national and local politicians were complex, if not convoluted, at times. This plus the fact that the so called cast of characters is quite large made it challenging to grasp and recall, let alone assimilate, the full scope of what took place in the years after the War of 1812 leading up to the tribe’s removal to the so called Indian Territories in 1836. Even with its largely readable prose Politics can be slow going at times because of this factor. Thus, I found that 10-15 pages was about as much as I could digest at any one sitting. But what one can learn from Green’s work make it well worth the effort.

[Jeffrey Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book -- it is one of the first books that covers the entire history of the Creeks in an easy to follow yet exhaustive manner. It begins with a chapter on their pre-contact culture, clearly explaining some of the concepts in Creek society that other books leave rather vague and unclear such as the division between "Red" and "White" towns and between Upper and Lower. Green seems to have some familiar with the language which helps. The rest of the book deals with the Creeks contact with whites and the effect on their society, naming Creek notables, exploring their biographies and explaining the Southern politicians that caused most of the damage. I wish there were more maps and illustrations -- but that seems to be something lacking in any book on the Creeks.