User:Ehail773/Fox Indian Massacre

The Fox Wars began when the French began to take over lands in North America in what is now current day Michigan, and in and around what is known today as the Midwestern United States. Setting up trade out posts on Lake Michigan, the Mississippi River, and other bodies of water in the area, improved the French's command in the fur trade. Unhappy with the French taking post in their land, the Fox Indians were intrigued to form an alliance with the British in hoping to send a message to the French that they would not back down on their homeland. This alliance triggered a battle in what is now known as the Fox Indian Massacre of 1712.

French Fur Trade
When the French began to settle into the Midwest, they set up multiple trade points in Native Territory's. Befriending tribes like the Huron and Ojibwa, the French looked to gather fur and pelts from the tribes to sell along the trade posts. These Native tribes in the area were seen as almost the middlemen to the fur trade, being able to dictate the supply of furs to increase or decrease demand by the French. This would force the French to make stronger alliances with certain tribes to control the supply of fur. In 1701, the French created the trading outpost of Fort Pontchartrain on the Detroit River, this strategically blocked English Traders who were pushing into the Ohio Valley.

Fox Indian Massacre
Looking to send a message to the French and their native allies, the Fox and a Mascouten village led by chief Kisis and Ouabimanitou invaded Fort Pontchartrain and killed livestock. The Fox had a village no more than 50 feet from the Fort, which made invasion quite easy. In retaliation, Potawatomie Chief Saquina led an attack with over 600 men from different tribes onto the Fox "Fort" right next to Fort Pontchartrian. The Fox called upon the English to help them fight back as the battle led on for five days. Lacking support, Fox warriors were pushed back to the shores of Lake St. Clair where they were trapped on the banks and were killed by Huron and Ottawa tribe members. The Fox Indian Massacre would be the first large battle with massive losses between bordering tribes and the French. This escalated the heated relationship between the Fox and French.