Final answer:
Native American tribes mostly sided with the British during the American Revolution, seeing the British as protectors of their lands against American expansion, although some tribes like the Oneida and Tuscarora supported the Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key Players in American Revolution Alliances
During the American Revolution, both the British and the American revolutionaries desired alliances with Native American tribes. The majority of these tribes ended up supporting the British cause, largely due to the British endorsement of the Proclamation Line of 1763, which offered some protection against American colonial expansion. The British were seen by many tribes as the lesser of two evils when it came to safeguarding their lands and way of life.
However, alliances were not uniform. The Iroquois Confederacy famously split, with the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Seneca siding with the British, while the Oneida and Tuscarora supported the Americans. In New England, Indian support for the American cause was stronger, influenced by closer living conditions with colonial neighbors over longer periods. Other tribes, like the Catawba of North Carolina, also supported the Americans, despite the general trend favoring the British side.
Overall, participation in the war by Indian tribes was strategic and varied, often influenced by their regional experiences, historical alliances, and assessments of which side would best serve their interests in the conflict over land and autonomy.