|  | | | The Choctaw History
Chronology | The Choctaw: History | Before arriving in Oklahoma in the 1830's, the Choctaw occupied most of the area that is now Mississippi and western Alabama. Their own history has them coming originally “from the west” and finally settling in Mississippi. By late prehistoric times they lived in scattered villages and enjoyed a rich diet of game, fish, gathered foods, and cultivated corn, beans, and squash. Surplus foods were traded with other peoples in the region. With the arrival of the Europeans, new tools and goods became available to the Choctaw, who were among the earliest native peoples to assimilate new technologies. They served as middlemen between their native neighbors and, in succession, the Spanish, French, British, and U.S. inhabitants of the area. The Choctaw built substantial log houses and constructed fences to mark property in imitation of the Europeans. With better access to trade goods, the Choctaw also furnished their dwellings with ceramic dishes, metal pots and pans, steel cutlery, and hunting guns. By 1826 they had written laws, a representative form of government, and an established formal system of schooling.  Last Home of the Choctaw Nation, 1939 H. Louis Freund
Beginning in 1796, Choctaw leaders ceded various parcels of land to the U.S. in a series of treaties. The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek in 1830, the last of nine agreements, provided for an exchange of the Choctaw's remaining lands in Mississippi for the southern part of Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), where they were to move. Those who remained in Mississippi were no longer to consider themselves Choctaw, but were instead to become citizens of that state. The Choctaw’s long journey to their new home, which was often made without the supplies and wagons promised in the treaty, was arduous. Many did not survive. As with other Indian groups that were moved west, the Choctaw remember this trek as a “Trail of Tears.” Those who survived the Trail of Tears were eager to duplicate the lives they had known in Mississippi. Clearing land near the Red River, some became wealthy plantation owners with servants and slaves. Others isolated themselves in the mountain forests, opting to maintain a hunting and gathering lifestyle. Various industries developed that required the building of roads, and small towns were established where there were new gristmills, sawmills, salt works, and cotton gins.
As the people recovered economically, they rebuilt socially. They re-established their constitutional republic in 1834. By 1836, there were eleven elementary schools in the area. Nine high school-level institutions were started, including Wheelock Academy, which opened in 1842 west of Idabel. By 1848, Choctaw newspapers were in circulation, and Christian missionaries had been given permission to establish new stations in the territory. Native preachers soon outnumbered white ones, and the Church became the focal point of community life. By 1860, three decades after their forced removal, the Choctaw adopted a final constitution and took pride in their progressive society founded on law rather than on custom. Frustrated by broken promises, and living in a style more similar to that of the South, the Choctaw sided with the Confederate States during the American Civil War – as did most of the other tribes in Indian Territory. After the War, new agreements with the U.S. forced the Choctaw to abolish slavery, give up their westernmost lands, and allow railroads to cross their territory. The railroads drew large-scale mining and timber operations, which generally prospered, and tribal receipts greatly increased. The railroads and industries, however, also attracted white settlers. In order to accommodate their presence in “Indian Territory”, the United States provided for the end of tribally owned lands through an allotment system whereby individuals were granted private properties. Beginning in 1894, the Dawes Commission saw to the registration of Choctaw families, so that the former tribal lands could be properly distributed among them. The final list included 18,981 citizens of the Choctaw Nation, 1,639 Mississippi Choctaw, and 5,994 former slaves. The tribal government was dissolved in 1906; although a principal chief, appointed by the president of the U.S., continued to be recognized. Private ownership meant that land could be sold, and many Choctaw sold their allotments to speculators and others. he Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 ended any further allotments, allowing tribes to establish their own governments. In 1948, the Oklahoma Choctaw were again able to elect their own chief. Tribal headquarters are presently located in Durant, Oklahoma. A reservation was established in 1944 for the descendants of those Choctaw who had remained in Mississippi. This Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, also led by a tribal council with an elected chief, is centered in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  back to top
| | 1540 | Spanish conquistador Hernando DeSoto encounters Choctaw. Up to 1500 Choctaw killed by Spanish at Battle of Mabilu. | 1699 | After Mississippi River explorations by de La Salle, Marquette and Jolliet, French establish Fort Maurepas on Gulf Coast. | 1720 | Choctaw ally with different European powers, preferring French over British, who support rival Chickasaw. | 1730 | Choctaw join French in war against Natchez, who are virtually wiped out. | 1748 | Tribal civil war between pro-French and pro-British factions. | 1755 | French and Indian War (Seven Years War in
Europe); Choctaw allegiances vary. | 1763 | Treaty of Paris: France cedes Canada to Britain and all claims to lands east of the Mississippi, except around New Orleans. Choctaw enter into treaty defining their borders. | 1765 | War with Creek Indians. | 1783 | Treaty of Paris recognizes U.S. independence;
Choctaws generally support Americans against British. | 1786 | Treaty of Hopewell between U.S. and Choctaw establishes borders. | 1798 | Mississippi Territory formed. | 1801 | Treaty of Fort Adams, whereby 2,264,920 acres along Mississippi River are sold to U.S. for $2000. | 1802 | Treaty of Fort Confederation, whereby approximately 50,000 acres are ceded to U.S. for $1. | 1803 | Treaty of Hoe Buckintoopa, whereby 853,760 acres of land are ceded in settlement of trade debt of $40,000. | 1803 | Louisiana Purchase. | 1803 | Louisiana Territorial Act authorizes President to negotiate with tribes to move west of Mississippi River. | 1805 | Treaty of Mount Dexter, whereby 4,142,720 acres are ceded in settlement of trade debt of nearly $48,000, plus payment of $3000 annuity, plus $500 payment for chiefs and salaries of $150 per year. | 1812 | Choctaw support Americans against British in War of 1812. | 1816 | Treaty of Fort St. Stephens, whereby approximately 3,000,000 acres are sold for $10,000 plus annual payments of $6000 for 20 years. | 1818 | First school founded at Elliot | 1820 | Treaty of Doak's Stand, whereby 5,269,788 acres are exchanged for approximately 13,000,000 acres west of Mississippi. | 1824 | Bureau of Indian Affairs established within War Department. | 1825 | Treaty of Washington City establishes borders for lands received in Treaty of Doak's Stand. In exchange for 2,000,000 fewer acres then originally agreed, U.S. to move out any white settlers living in remaining “Indian Territory” plus provide a perpetual annuity of $6000, payment of trading debts, and pensions for Choctaw veterans who fought in War of 1812. | 1829 | Mississippi legislature abolishes tribal government and extends citizenship to all Choctaw. | 1830 | Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, whereby remaining 10,000,000+ acres of Choctaw land in Mississippi and Alabama are ceded, and tribes agree to move to Indian Territory in exchange for protection, passage, and an annuity of $20,000 for twenty years, plus funds for schools, churches, and a council house. | 1833 | Treaty of Doaksville, whereby Choctaw lease lands west of their own settlements to Chickasaw for $530,000. | 1834 | First Tribal Council Meeting in Indian Territory at Jack's Fort; constitution adopted. | 1837 | Council House erected at Jack's Fork. | 1855 | Chickasaw Nation established in leased lands. For $800,000 U.S. leases lands west of Chickasaw Nation in which to settle Wichita and other tribes. | 1859 | Choctaw awarded $2,981,247.30 by U.S. Senate in settlement of outstanding debt from sale of Mississippi lands. | 1860 | Choctaw Supreme Court and office of Principal Chief established. | 1865 | Chief Peter Pitchlynn surrenders Choctaw military forces, which had fought for the Confederacy, to the U.S. | 1866 | Treaty whereby Choctaw free all slaves, cede westernmost lands (leased since 1855 by U.S.), and permit railroad to be built across their lands | 1893 | Authorization of President to negotiate termination of land titles held by Five Civilized Tribes; Dawes Commission established for allotment program. | 1905 | Five Civilized Tribes attempt to establish State of Sequoyah. | 1906 | Choctaw tribal government dissolved. | 1907 | Dawes Commission closes enrollment. | 1918 | Choctaw Indian Agency established in Philadelphia, Mississippi. | 1934 | Indian Reorganization Act ends allotment and encourages establishment of new tribal governments. | 1953 | Termination Act provides for independent action by tribes in matters formerly the responsibility of the U.S. including health care and education. | 1975 | Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. | back to top |
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