Alliances Will Determine The Fate Of The Chickasaw Tribe

Alliances will determine the fate of the Chickasaw tribe. During the Revolutionary war, Payamataha, the Chickasaw foreign diplomat, decided that maintaining peace and neutrality would better benefit the tribe and preserve the Chickasaw people and land. With Independence Lost by Kathleen DuVal, Payamataha decision to stay out of the Revolutionary War and advocate peace led to the defeat of the British and results in the loss of the Chickasaw land by the Americans. During the Seven Years War, the Chickasaws suffered many casualties and loss of resources while fighting off the French. Due to the many casualties, Payamataha felt that his strategy of peace would benefit the Chickasaws the most. However, Payamataha did not anticipate that the alliance with the British would affect the Americans view; no matter how minuscule the Chickasaws actions were. The Chickasaws made many mistakes during the Revolutionary War. Although Payamataha made resolutions of maintaining peace, the Chickasaws still made an alliance with the British without making the intentions clear. Despite the alliance, the Chickasaw did everything possible to stay out of the war while still staying on the good side of the British. While reassuring the British of the alliance in Mobile, Payamataha used his time to secure peace with other Indian Nations such as the Creeks, Choctaws, Cherokees, and Quapaws. In 1777 Payamataha sent a commission across the Mississippi to discuss joint interest with the Quapaw, and the