(1767–1838). A war chief of the Sauk tribe, Black Hawk led a band of 1,000 Native Americans who refused to be pushed out of their Illinois homeland by white settlers. In 1832 their defiance sparked a conflict with the United States Army that is now known as the Black Hawk War.

Early life

Black Hawk was born in 1767 in a village near the mouth of the Rock River in what is now Illinois. Within his tribe he was known by his Indian name, Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak. While Black Hawk was growing up, large numbers of U.S. settlers moved onto the Sauk's lands. Like many of his people, Black Hawk resented the presence of these newcomers. He joined British soldiers in battling United States soldiers in the War of 1812.

Black Hawk War

While Black Hawk was away fighting, his rival Keokuk was named the war leader of his village. Even though Keokuk was friendly with United States officials, settlers continued to take over Sauk territory. The settlers also pressured the government to enforce an 1804 treaty. In the agreement, a group of the Sauk and Fox tribes signed away all their lands east of the Mississippi River to the United States.

Some Indians under Keokuk agreed to move across the river into what is now Iowa. About 1,000 others refused to leave their lands. They looked to Black Hawk for leadership.

Despite their resistance, Black Hawk and his followers were driven west of the Mississippi in 1831. But, the next spring, they defiantly returned to their homeland. Black Hawk's band began to plant crops and build a new village there, setting off loud protests by nearby settlers. United States President Andrew Jackson responded by sending federal troops to battle the Indians.

Fighting soon broke out. Black Hawk's warriors alone could not defeat the United States soldiers, and other tribes failed to come their aid. His band was forced to retreat north into the Rock River Valley. The soldiers overtook them where the Bad Axe River empties into the Mississippi, in what is now Wisconsin. Most of the band, including women and children, were killed in this final battle of the Black Hawk War.

Later life

Black Hawk was among the few survivors. He was captured and put in prison, first in Missouri and then in Virginia. In 1833 Black Hawk was allowed to return to present-day Iowa. As a final blow to his pride, he was placed under Keokuk's charge. Black Hawk died five years later, in 1838. By that time the United States had taken over all of his people's former homeland. The war had so frightened other Indian groups in the region that most had fled west, leaving their lands free for settlement by whites.