Endgame for Empire: British-Creek Relations in Georgia and Vicinity, 1763-1776

Description

Since so much of Indian-European relations and the course of the American Revolution in the South pivoted on how the Creeks and British dealt with each other| illuminating that relationship is of critical importance. Juricek demonstrates an absolute mastery of the sources and a bone-deep understanding of the nuances of both Creek and British culture. Joshua Piker| author of “Okfuskee: A Creek Indian Town in Colonial America”
A much-needed modern treatment of colonial Indian relations in the South. Plumbing the depths of archival sources| Juricek brings to life the dramas behind treaty negotiations and diplomatic meetings between the colony of Georgia and the Creek Indians. Robbie Ethridge| author of “Creek Country: The Creek Indians and Their World”
The process of European colonization was not simply a matter of armed invaders elbowing themselves into position to take charge. Like the other imperial powers| the British found that maintaining their American empire required complicated negotiations with Indians. On the other hand| the British developed a unique approach to the legal issues of colonization.
By 1763| Britain had defeated Spain and France for dominance over much of the continent and renewed efforts to repair relations with Indians| especially in the southern colonies. Over the ensuing decade the reconstitution of once-promising British-Creek relations stalled and then collapsed| ultimately leading the southeastern colonists directly into the arms of the patriot cause.
John Juricek explains how British failures| including the growing gap between promises and actions| led not only to a loss of potential allies among the Creeks but also to the rapid conversion of dutiful British subjects into outraged revolutionaries.