By 1720, it was apparent that the European colonies in North America were permanent and that the European Christian kingdoms felt that they had a mandate from their god to rule over all Indian nations.
English
In the territories claimed by the English, Indians were not seen as equal to Europeans: they were not citizens, nor could they become citizens. From the viewpoint of the English, Indians were aliens. Indians were generally not allowed to testify in court or be admitted as a witness against any Christian non-Indian.
In Massachusetts, the New England Company appointed a new minister to the Mashpee. The Mashpee told officials that they would boycott the church unless the new minister preached in their language (Wampanoag). The new minister accepted the challenge and began to learn Wampanoag.
It should be noted that English colonial law at this time required church attendance and boycotting the church would be an act of civil disobedience with possible criminal penalties.
Spanish
In New Mexico, the Spanish heard about the French expedition of de la Harpe and in response sent a large expedition under the leadership of Pedro de Villasur into the southern Plains. The expedition included 42 Spanish soldiers, a priest, and 70 Pueblo auxiliaries. After crossing the Arkansas River by raft, the Spanish stopped among the Cuartelejo Apache.
The expedition traveled as far as central Nebraska where it encountered a Pawnee village. The Spanish wanted to find out what the Pawnee knew about any French in the area. The Pawnee, however, had a hostile attitude and the Spanish withdrew and set up camp along the south bank of the North Platte River. Here the expedition was attacked by the Pawnee. Only 13 of the Spanish soldiers survived. Most of the Indian allies also survived.
Tribes
In Nebraska, the Omaha built an earthlodge village at the mouth of Village Creek. According to archaeologists John O’Shea and John Ludwickson, in their book Archaeology and Ethnohistory of the Omaha Indians: The Big Village Site:
“This village became known to the Omahas as Bad Village because a quarrel occurred there that again split the tribe.”
According to Robin Ridington and Dennis Hastings, in their book Blessing for a Long Time: The Sacred Pole of the Omaha Tribe:
“Omaha tradition describes this tragedy as a violent dispute about the treatment of a woman who had been forced to marry an older man against her will.”
The Iowa, who had been traveling with the Omaha, established their village 30 miles to the east at the mouth of Aowa Creek.
The Fox renewed their war against the Potawatomi, Miami, and Illinois.
In Michigan, some Mascouten who wanted to avoid the war caused by the Fox ask to settle near the Potawatomi on the Saint Joseph River.
The Otoe and the Kansa attacked the Padouca and returned with 250 captives.
Indian people in the southeastern Plateau area of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho began to acquire horses. At the same time, the use of pit houses becomes less common and the use of the long house increases.
In Massachusetts, Mashpee sachem Simon Popmonit died. He was highly respected by both Indians and colonists.
Indians 101
Twice each week Indians 101 presents American Indian stories. More histories about the 18th century from this series:
Indians 101: 1714
Indians 101: Indian Events of 1715
Indians 101: American Indians in 1716
Indians 101: American Indians in 1717
Indians 101: Three Centuries Ago (1718)
Indians 101: The French and Indians 300 years ago, 1719
Indians 101: Indian Resistance to the California Missions
Indians 101: The Tuscarora & the Iroquois League
