Battle Of Horseshoe Bend Essay

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was significant in the expansion of the United States for three reasons: It eliminated significant resistance among the Indians in the Southeastern portion of the United States (east of the Mississippi River), it propelled Andrew Jackson to national fame, and with the eventual victory of the Americans in the War of 1812, dashed any lingering British hopes of dominating the continent; thereby accelerating the westward movement (expansion) of the American Frontier.1

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was the culmination of the Creek War between white settlers who wished to colonize (settle) their lands. For years, Tennesseans and Georgians looked with envy at the potential of the fertile lands that would one day become the Cotton Belt of Alabama.2 This battle completely wiped out the Creek Indians, and would foretell what would happen to the rest of the southeastern Indians. Months later at the Treaty of Fort Jackson, the Creek Indians ceded 22 Million Acres of land. This accelerated the

expansion of the United States south and westward. Over the next twenty years, the remnants of the Southeastern Indians (“The Five Civilized Tribes”) were moved west of the Mississippi River. The man partially responsible for this and how the new nation dealt with the Indians become nationally known as a result of this battle. His name was Andrew Jackson.

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend propelled Andrew Jackson to the national level; much the same way that The Battle of Fort Donelson did for Ulysses S.

Grant in the American Civil War. The Indian uprising and the start of the Creek War saved Jackson’s military career. After the battle he was promoted to Major General in the Regular Army. Less than a year later, in January 1815, he defeated the British at The Battle of New Orleans. This further enhanced his standing on the national level, and in 1828 was elected President of The United States. As president, he was one of the leading advocates for the removal of Indians from their native lands in favor of white settlement; thus setting the stage for further expansion of the United States. In 1831, against the decision of the United State Supreme Court, he forced the remaining members of “The Five Civilized Tribes” to move west of the Mississippi River to “Indian Territory”, what today is

Oklahoma.3

While The Battle of Horseshoe Bend would not have a direct effect on the ultimate outcome of the War of 1812, it did propel Andrew Jackson to national level. These momentums in victories (three prior engagements to Horseshoe Bend resulted in American victories) had a positive effect on the psyche of the Americans. Victory at New Orleans diminished the threat of European powers encroaching on the new young nation. Americans could now concentrate on building the nation and expand towards the west.

In conclusion, The Battle of Horseshoe Bend played a significant role in the expansion of the United States. Although not apparent at the time, it reinforced the notion (ideology) of “Manifest Destiny”; expand westward and settle the land between the two oceans. With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States doubled in size. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend set the stage for the removal of Indians in the Southeastern portion of the country, with the exception of Spanish held Florida. The idea of removing Indians from their native lands by force or false treaties became the prevailing mentality in the 19th Century.