A review of the more than 300 treaties that the U.S.
made with Indian tribes makes it apparent that the U.S. entered into a
majority of the treaties motivated by a need for peace. Most Indian
treaties were negotiated from a standpoint of strength. The concept of
being “conquered” connotes weakness and dependence. Even though the
wording used by the U.S. in the treaties may mention “dependence”, it
was more a strategy of the U.S. to ensure that Indians allied with the
U.S. rather than European colonial governments. Congress abandoned the
“conquered” nation’s argument when it appropriated $20,000 for treaties
and land purchase from the tribes in 1789.
