Introduction
The ‘Indian Problem’ has always been regarded as one of the most significant national questions, connected with exact identification of social rights and freedoms of these people. The development of special policies and laws were aimed at the problem solution; though in most cases it resulted in global federal conflicts. Federal Indian Policy is considered to be presented in the form of relationships between the government of the USA and the Indian tribes existing within its territory. Joseph Brant was one of the outstanding contributors to the development of American Indian Policy, striving to balance the rights and opportunities of the Indians as the nation, and participating in the development of ‘Indian sovereignty’.
Joseph Brant
Joseph Brant is considered to be a Mohawk chief and an outstanding British leader at the period of American Revolution. Thayendanegea (1743-1807) was a prominent military officer who contributed to the development of Indian federal policy. He appeared to be an elusive personality during his revolutionary career; he was never deeply involved into political development of his state being more interested in social and national prosperity of Indians as his native community. The basic aim of Brant’s campaign was focused on providing safety and welfare to Indians at the period of revolution and federal policy introduction. The question of tribal sovereignty was especially centralized; Joseph Brant put all the efforts in fighting for equality and rights for Indian nationality (Young, p. 236).
At the age of thirteen, Joseph Brant participated in war events serving under Johnson during Indian and French war in the Lake George battle. It is necessary to underline the fact that his desire to freedom was expressed from Brant’s youth, when he demonstrated his courage and strong willingness.
Being the secretary of Guy Johnson at the period of American Revolution, he managed to provide indirect influence on the formation of Indian policies. Though it is necessary to underline the fact that all his steps were focused on military campaign; Brant never tried to regulate the international questions and problems through agreements or documents. He participated in the number of attacks and rebellions aimed against the challenges within Indian federal policy connected with the following factors:
- Rapid settlement on the territory of Mohawk;
- Indians dependence on American and Britain economical, political and social development;
He was concerned as to the consequences of Indian policy introduction; he warned Jeffrey Amherst, the General of military troops, that tightfisted Indian federal policy could lead to frontier warfare, though his considerations were rejected because of financial cutbacks. As a result there was the rebellion of western tribesmen in 1763-64 (Edmunds, p. 147).
He appeared to be a significant figure in the historical formation of Indian policy; in 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed, British and USA policies expressed complete ignorance to the Indian people’s desire of becoming independent nation. It is necessary to stress that Brant’s strategies were based on the Iroquois people policies. Brant, as the representative of British military system, promised the defense to these nations at the period of American Revolution. Unexpected consequences and flow of events resulted in betrayal of Brant who denounced the policy of defense pushing the Indians to continue the war. Despite this fact, military groups of the Indian nations were completely unable to continue war events through the absence of support on the part of British suppliers. Joseph Brant managed to contribute to the introduction of Six Lands’ sovereignty underlining Iroquois belonging to the USA governing system, though this plan was destroyed because of dissolved British promises of tribes’ protection (Bolt, p. 41).
It is necessary to underline the fact that at the beginning of his military career Joseph Brant strived to work out the policy supporting Indians’ affairs during the reformative years. At the beginning of this period the fledgling democracy resulted in increased conflict between whites and Indians; federal authority passed new treaties confirming the trade regulations and commerce with the Indian tribes. Nevertheless, Brant was considered to be ‘Monster’ of warship who can be characterized through betrayal, aggressiveness and sharp desire to regain the lands for Mohawk people. After obtaining the Reserve of Six Nations for resettlements of Mohawk and all the Indians of the Six Nations, as a result of American rebel forces in 1777, he headed more than two thousand of Indians who followed his policy campaign (Edmunds, p. 25).
The analysis of Brant’s contribution to historical development of Indian federal policy can be treated both from negative and positive aspects. Joseph Brant strived to change the life of Indian tribes for the better fighting for independence, though his desire for military achievements and Native American origin overcame initial interests and goals (Wilkins, p. 113).
Joseph Brant is widely known as a war chief whose decisions were frequently overruled by clan matrons and sachems. The leader’s natural abilities and early education made him to be the real hero of his epoch influencing the formation of Indian consciousness and participating in British and American military actions. The lifelong mission of Joseph Brant was regarded to be helping Indians to survive as a nation and protect powerful culture being under the pressure of social, economic and political atmosphere challenges of American history. Joseph’s role in the federal policy of American Indian relationships appeared to be aimed at making the people be protected from outside interference. It should be noted that he managed to put his loyalty to the protection of Six Nations; it is difficult to identify whether he succeeded or failed in his aims achievements, but one can firmly stress that Joseph Brant was the embodiment of struggle for freedom of his native nation striving to reach complete sovereignty for people’s culture and land (Duthu, p. 156).
Conclusion
Federal Indian policy appeared to be a significant step in the world history and national development; it was developed by a number of prominent leaders and military leaders, one of which was Joseph Brant. It should be stressed that Joseph Brant appeared to be a significant figure in the history and military and political development of federal Indian policy regulations; he contributed to the formation of American Indian law, which helped to free the Indians becoming a sovereign nation.. His contribution was aimed at support and friendliness expressed towards Indians, who were initially perceived as wild tribes. The analysis of Joseph Brant’s leadership and contribution demonstrated the brightest goals and strategies he wished to fulfill; despite his failures, it should be noted that he was always supported by thousand of Indians following him at any struggle. He is remembered as a prominent Canada’s leader heading the Indians at the period of US war; the analysis of his personality provided Brant’s magnificent contribution to the Indians’ path to human rights and freedoms protection.
References
- Bolt, Ch. American Indian policy and American reform: case studies of the campaign to assimilate the American Indians. Routledge, 1990.
- Duthu, N. American Indians and the Law. Viking, 2008.
- Edmunds, R. American Indian leaders: studies in diversity. University of Nebraska Press, 1980.
- Wilkins, David. American Indian Politics and the American Political System. Rowman and Littlefield, 2006.
- Young, M. Indian Removal and Land Allotment: The Civilized Tribes and Jacksonian Justice. New York, Arno, 1979.