Tecumseh Research Paper

Jenna Jones

American Literature

May 12, 2017

Tecumseh’s Legacy

        Tecumseh was a man who had big dreams and ideas. One of his quotes, “A single twig breaks, but the bundle is strong,” reflects his beliefs and hopes about the future of the American Indians (“Tecumseh Quotes”). Ultimately, most of his dreams for the Indians were never realized, but he is still one of the most famous Native Americans to date. What set him apart was not only his fighting skills, but his ability to inspire people towards a cause he believed in. Tecumseh’s life and dreams helped shape him to be the most influential Indian leader in the struggle against the Americans for land.

        Tecumseh’s was shaped to be an Indian leader against the Americans by his childhood and his family. He was born in March of 1768 (Tucker 21). His father, Puckenshinwa, and mother, Methoataske, belonged to a Shawnee tribe living in Old Piqua in western Ohio (History.com Staff). He had three sisters and four brothers, including his younger brother Laloeshiga, who would eventually come to be called the Prophet. His father was killed in 1774 during a hunt when he would not help a group of whites, one of which shot him for denying their demands. Tecumseh’s mother impressed upon her children to hate the whites and to seek revenge, especially when they found Puckeshinwa had been shot (Tucker 20-28). She was already shaping him to become a leader of the resistance against the white Americans. Methoataske left her children and joined a group of Shawnees migrating to Missouri a few years later (History.com Staff). Tecumseh’s oldest sister, Tecumpease, finished raising him after their mother left the tribe (History.com Staff). Tecumseh’s village was destroyed during the Revolutionary War after the Indians attacked white settlements (West). This only fueled his hatred of whites. He then became a fierce young warrior who possessed more bravery than other more experienced fighters (West).

        As a warrior, Tecumseh quickly gained influence and respect from the other tribes. While he was growing up, the Americans were beginning to travel west and settle in the Indian’s territory. Many tribes fought back by raiding these white settlements and towns (Debo 90-91). When he was only fourteen or fifteen, Tecumseh took part in his first battle alongside his older brother, Cheeseekau. During the battle, Tecumseh fled the scene out of fear. When his brother came back from the fight wounded, he decided that he would not run from the fight any longer. After the Indians successfully seized two of the Americans’ boats, Tecumseh witnessed the torture of the only prisoner. Despite his age and rank, Tecumseh spoke out against torture and left a lasting impression on the other braves (Tucker 55-57). It was after this incident that Tecumseh discovered that some of the old ways of tribes, such as revenge, would only lead to disaster (Tucker 57). Tecumseh became an exceptional fighter under the chief Little Turtle when Governor St Clair was sent by George Washington to subdue the Indians and prevent future raids (Debo 91). He played a key role in St Clair’s defeat. (Tucker 65-66). Tecumseh was called for by Cheeseekau to aid with fighting the Tennessee settlers in 1792 (Tucker 71). He brought a contingent of warriors to help his brother. Together they almost destroyed an entire settlement (Debo 92). Later, in another attack, Cheeseekau died in battle. As a result, the Indians failed to overtake Buchanan’s Station. (Debo 92). Tecumseh was voted as leader of the remaining Shawnee warriors after his brother’s death (Tucker 73). He continued to attack the Tennessee settlements in order to take revenge for his brother’s death. Blue Jacket, the Shawnee chief at the time, summoned Tecumseh to fight General Anthony Wayne. They suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Fallen Timbers and when they retreated to Fort Miami, their British sympathizers had locked them out. General Wayne attempted to hold a council with Indian tribe leaders but Tecumseh would not go. The other leaders formed a council to sign the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. The treaty gave the Americans more of the Indians’ land and set up a temporary peace (Debo 92-93). Tecumseh became a chief of the Shawnee tribe by the year 1800 (History.com Staff).

        Tecumseh saw an opportunity to accomplish his dream for the Indians when his brother, Laloeshiga, began spreading his message. During the peace that followed the treaty, both Tecumseh and Laloeshiga came to believe that the whites’ influence was having a negative effect on the Indian tribes. Tecumseh viewed Indians’ land as owned by the Great Spirit, or “Master of Life,” and could not be sold or given unless all tribes decided together. He grew angry at how the Americans had tricked and beat the tribes into giving up their land ("Tecumseh's Confederation"). Laloeshiga experienced a vision where the “Master of Life” told him the white Americans would be pushed from Indian land if they gave up American products and reverted to their traditional tribal ways of life (West). Laloeshiga then adopted the name Tenskwatawa, which means “Prophet” in the Shawnee language, in 1805 (History.com Staff). Tecumseh used his brother’s religious movement to create a political movement of a united confederation to fight against the Americans (History.com Staff).