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American Revolution in the West

Since the mid-1700s, at least, American colonists under British rule had settled the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.

After the Proclamation of 1763, there was increasing conflict. Americans, hungry for land, defied Great Britain and continued to settle on the western frontier. American Indians, fearful of the growing numbers of settlers on their traditional lands, fought to drive them back East. Americans and Indians committed atrocities against each other.

British government in the west was ruled from Detroit. In 1775, Henry Hamilton became lieutenant governor of Detroit. In order to maintain British control, he directed raids on American settlements by Indians who were allied with the British to obtain weapons and supplies and get rid of the settlers.

Clark Visits the Kentucky Settlements

Clark Fighting Indians

Harvard University Portrait Collection - Henry Hamilton

225th Anniversary Exhibit