Endgame for Empire: British-Creek Relations in Georgia and Vicinity, 1763-1776

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“Since so much of Indian-European relations and the course of the American Revolution in the South pivoted on how the Creeks and British dealt with each other, illuminating that relationship is of critical importance. Juricek demonstrates an absolute mastery of the sources and a bone-deep understanding of the nuances of both Creek and British culture.”—Joshua Piker, author of Okfuskee: A Creek Indian Town in Colonial America   “A much-needed modern treatment of colonial Indian relations in the South. Plumbing the depths of archival sources, Juricek brings to life the dramas behind treaty negotiations and diplomatic meetings between the colony of Georgia and the Creek Indians.”—Robbie Ethridge, author of Creek Country: The Creek Indians and Their World   The process of European colonization was not simply a matter of armed invaders elbowing themselves into position to take charge. Like the other imperial powers, the British found that maintaining their American empire required complicated negotiations with Indians. On the other hand, the British developed a unique approach to the legal issues of colonization.             By 1763, Britain had defeated Spain and France for dominance over much of the continent and renewed efforts to repair relations with Indians, especially in the southern colonies. Over the ensuing decade the reconstitution of once-promising British-Creek relations stalled and then collapsed, ultimately leading the southeastern colonists directly into the arms of the patriot cause.             John Juricek explains how British failures, including the growing gap between promises and actions, led not only to a loss of potential allies among the Creeks but also to the rapid conversion of dutiful British subjects into outraged revolutionaries.