What event is known as the Fort Mims Massacre?

The Fort Mims Massacre refers to the brutal attack on Fort Mims, a stockade in Alabama, by Upper Creek Indians, particularly those associated with the Red Stick faction, on August 30, 1813. This event occurred during the Creek War, which was part of the larger context of the War of 1812.

The significance of this massacre lies in the loss of life and the ensuing panic it caused among American settlers, as it symbolized the violent conflict between Native Americans and settlers during this period. Approximately 250 to 500 settlers and Creeks were killed in the attack, which fueled further hostilities and military responses from American forces. The massacre exemplified the broader tensions over land and cultural clashes between Indigenous peoples and American expansion at the time.

Recognizing this as the correct answer underscores an important historical moment that exemplifies the complexities of Native American resistance and the impact of the War of 1812 on U.S. territorial expansion.