European colonization History of Alabama

1725 map of mobile, alabama s first permanent european settlement.

the french colonized region. in 1702 founded settlement on mobile river near mouth, constructing fort louis. next 9 years french seat of government of new france, or la louisiane (louisiana). in 1711, fort louis abandoned floods. settlers rebuilt fort on higher ground known fort conde. start of developed present-day mobile, first permanent european settlement in alabama.

the french , english contested region, each attempting forge strong alliances indian tribes. strengthen position, defend indian allies, , draw other tribes them, french established military posts of fort toulouse, near junction of coosa , tallapoosa rivers, , fort tombecbe on tombigbee river.

the french , english engaged in competition indian trade in state of alabama between 1690s , 1750s,at point french , indian war broke out. though french claimed territory own , attempted rule fort toulouse engage in trade indians, english traders based out of carolinas everywhere, engaging in trade right under french s nose. particularly frustrating french fact chickasaw virtually favored english in contest. overall, during time english proved better colonizers , better traders. advantage came fact central government in london largely left them alone engage in trade saw fit , did not hamper efforts excessive regulation french government did colonists. on note edmund burke later note english colonists in america owe freedom carelessness design . policy referred salutary neglect . reflected larger fact, englishmen @ home accustomed greater degree of freedom frenchman.

the english crown s grant of georgia oglethorpe , associates in 1732 included portion of northern alabama. in 1739, oglethorpe visited creek indians west of chattahoochee river , made treaty them.

the 1763 treaty of paris, ended 7 years war after france s defeat britain, resulted in france ceding territories east of mississippi britain. great britain came undisputed control of region between chattahoochee , mississippi rivers. portion of alabama below 31st parallel became part of british west florida. portion north of line became part of illinois country , set apart british crown use indians. in 1767, province of west florida extended northward 32°28 n latitude.

more decade later, during american revolutionary war, british informally ceded region spain. treaty of versailles, september 3, 1783, great britain ceded west florida spain. treaty of paris (1783), signed same day, britain ceded newly established united states of province north of 31°n, laying foundation long controversy.

mississippi territory changes 1798-1817.

by treaty of madrid in 1795, spain ceded united states lands east of mississippi between 31°n , 32°28 n. 3 years later, in 1798, congress organized district mississippi territory. strip of land 12 or 14 miles wide near present northern boundary of alabama , mississippi claimed south carolina, part of eastern colonies previous hopeful extensions west. in 1787, during constitutional negotiations, south carolina ceded claim federal government. georgia likewise claimed lands between 31st , 35th parallels present western boundary mississippi river, , did not surrender claim until 1802. 2 years later, boundaries of mississippi territory extended include of georgia cession.

in 1812, congress added mobile district of west florida mississippi territory, claiming included in louisiana purchase. following year, general james wilkinson occupied mobile district military force. spanish did not resist. whole area of present state of alabama taken under jurisdiction of united states. several native american tribes still occupied of land, formal ownership recognized treaty united states. 5 of major tribes became known 5 civilized tribes adoption of elements of european-american culture.

in 1817, mississippi territory divided. western portion, had attracted population more quickly, became state of mississippi. eastern portion became alabama territory, st. stephens on tombigbee river temporary seat of government.

conflict between indians of alabama , american settlers increased rapidly in 19th century because americans kept encroaching on native american territories. great shawnee chief tecumseh visited region in 1811, seeking forge indian alliance among these tribes join resistance in great lakes area. outbreak of war of 1812, britain encouraged tecumseh s resistance movement, in hope of expelling american settlers west of appalachians. several tribes divided in opinion.

the creek tribe fell civil war (1813-1814). violence between creeks , americans escalated, culminating in fort mims massacre. full-scale war between united states , red stick creeks began; more traditional members of society resisted encroachment. chickasaw, choctaw, cherokee nation , other creek factions remained neutral or allied united states during war; warriors among bands served american troops. volunteer militias georgia, south carolina , tennessee marched alabama, fighting red sticks.

later, federal troops became main fighting force united states. general andrew jackson commander of american forces during creek war , in continuing effort against british in war of 1812. leadership , military success during wars made him national hero. treaty of fort jackson (august 9, 1814) ended creek war. terms of treaty, creek, red sticks , neutrals alike, ceded one-half of present state of alabama united states. due later cessions cherokee, chickasaw , choctaw in 1816, retained one-quarter of former territories in alabama.