When the American Revolution ended, Native Americans and the new Americans were in constant conflict over lands between the Appalachians and the Mississippi River — the region that would become today’s Midwest. Tensions remained high between the tribes living in these lands and the settlers arriving from the former colonies.
In the years leading up to the War of 1812, the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa represented Native concerns, while future U.S. president William Henry Harrison represented American interests. This presentation explores the strategies each leader used to secure land for their people, including the influence of Shawnee spirituality and the U.S. “Civilizing” program. Through details of several tense meetings between these leaders, the program reveals how they attempted to avoid war and why they became pivotal figures in early American history.
Frank Kuron is a lifelong resident of Toledo. After retiring from a 40-year career in advertising, he continues to pursue his passion for researching and writing about early American history. His wife Debra shares his interest in history and together they have two children and three grandchildren.
In 2011, Kuron was named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel in recognition of his first book, Thus Fell Tecumseh. He also wrote guest history columns for the former Toledo Free Press newspaper. His second book, Sketches of Intriguing People and the Curious Events They Suffered While Living in the Wilderness of the Northwest Territory, shares adventure stories of fascinating frontier personalities long forgotten. His third book, Sketches of Curious Events and Practices in the Lives of the Intriguing People Who Inhabited Early America, explores even more little-known events from early American history.
Kuron is a former board member of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Commission. He presents programs across the region on early American topics and has appeared on C-SPAN Book TV. With his wife, he also participates in reenactment events where they portray historic pioneers in character.
