Micanopy 1780?-1849
Seminole Leader
Micanopy (mih KAN uh pee), whose name means “Head Chief,” was a powerful Seminole leader in Florida in the early 1800s. He controlled large amounts of rich farmland. African Americans who had escaped from slavery lived on his lands.
Southern plantation owners wanted Seminole communities such as Micanopy's to stop giving shelter to escaped slaves. At the same time, more white settlers began to move to Florida, taking over Seminole lands. These issues led to fighting between the Seminole and white Americans. The United States government forced many Seminole to leave their lands.
In 1832, some Seminole leaders signed the Treaty of Payne's Landing. In this treaty, the Seminole agreed to move from Florida to what is now Oklahoma. Micanopy refused to sign. At first, he encouraged his people to resist removal without using violence. Later, he supported the younger leaders in fighting back against government soldiers.
Critical Thinking
What issues created conflict between the Seminole and white Americans?