Tribal "remnants" or state citizens: Mississippi Choctaws in the post-removal South*. Issue 2 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osburn, Katherine M. B.
• Is Part Of: American nineteenth century history. Volume 17:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 214
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Citizenship -- settler colonialism -- race -- masculinity; United States -- History -- 19th century -- Periodicals; 973.5
• DOI: 10.1080/14664658.2016.1215017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-4658

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper explores how the Mississippi Choctaws engaged state citizenship in the years immediately following removal. I challenge the standard narrative of Choctaws' relationships with the Mississippi legal system as one in which they were primarily victimized by unscrupulous lawyers and state officials. I argue instead that Choctaws used their new status as citizens to fight back against dispossession. I also examine how ideals of masculinity and class conflicts shaped interpretations of rights and obligations between Indians and whites.