First Seminole War

Definition

The First Seminole War (1817-1818) was a conflict between the United States and the Seminole Indians in Florida, sparked by border disputes and tensions over runaway slaves seeking refuge among the Seminoles.

Analogy

Think of this like a neighborhood dispute where one neighbor's dog keeps escaping into another's yard. The owner of the dog (the Seminoles) doesn't see it as a problem, but the other neighbor (the U.S.) does. This escalates until it becomes a full-blown argument or fight.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that forced many Native American nations to move west of the Mississippi River.

Andrew Jackson: The seventh President of the United States who initiated and enforced the Indian Removal Act.

Second Seminole War: A conflict from 1835 to 1842 in Florida between various groups of Native Americans collectively known as Seminoles and the United States, part of a series stemming from attempts to relocate these tribes.