biography
pronunciation:
[pontiak]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (c.1720–69)
|
| biography:
| Ottawa chief, born in present-day Ohio, USA. Nothing is known of his early years, but according to the 19th-c historian Francis Parkman, he was an Ottawa chief who favoured the French in their struggle with the English. Opposing the British takeover of the Old Northwest, about 1762 he organized a coalition of Indian tribes against them. He led the year-long siege of Fort Detroit (1763–4) while other Indian forces captured eight British forts before they were eventually defeated. Pontiac agreed to peace in 1766. He was apparently murdered by a Peoria warrior in the pay of an English trader. Historians are unsure whether Pontiac actually led what is called Pontiac's conspiracy or rebellion, or if he was only one of several Indian leaders. His role was dramatized and highlighted by Parkman. |
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