About This Lesson
At the close of the era in the 1780s, Native Americans were confronted with new concepts--citizenship, land treaties, a nation-state--with the creation of the United States of America. During the years of conflict, Native American groups, like many other residents of North America, had to choose the loyalist or patriot cause—or somehow maintain a neutral stance. In this lesson, students will analyze maps, treaties, congressional records, firsthand accounts, and correspondence to determine the different roles assumed by Native Americans in the American Revolution and understand why the various groups formed the alliances they did.