The Choctaws (more properly Chahtas) are a North American Indian nation of the Muskhogean family. They were formerly allied to the Chickasaws, the two nations occupying the eastern side of the Mississippi between its Ohio and Yazoo affluents. The Choctaws lay more to the south holding both banks of the Yazoo. They acknowledged the sovereignty of the United States in 1786. At the beginning of the 19th century a migratory movement to the West was begun. They served in the war with England and in the Creek War. In 1820 they ceded a part of their territory to the Government for lands west of Arkansas. Georgia assumed control over their lands in the East, giving the Indians the rights of citizenship. In 1830 they ceded the remainder of their lands and moved West with the Chickasaws. By joining the Confederate cause they lost their civil rights. New treaties were made in 1866. By 1905 the Choctaws had embraced the American way of life and were farmers with a constitution, bill of rights and newspapers. Research Choctaws
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