Before the genesis of our country, William Bartram explored and studied the botony of the Ocmulgee Old Fields along the Lower Creek Trading Path. Though the Creek Indians of the area wished to remain removed from the events of the revolutionary war, they were led to side with England. Following the Revolution, the invention of the cotton gin widened trade along the Lower Creek Trading Path. The first treaty of Washington forces many of the Muscogee-Creek people to become involved in conflict because of their desirable land. Some authorities wish to use their land as part of a road going through the Creek reservation and moves from Washington D.C. through to New Orleans. Further, the treaty allows a military fort to be built on the reservation. A fort is built within a short distance from the mounds which prompts Shawnee Chief Tecumseh to rally Native Americans from the area to remove themselves from the "white man's ways" and they were referred to as the "Red Sticks". Rather than helping the Creek people, it divides them and allows a weakness that aids Andrew Jackson's agenda. The non-"Red Sticks" ceded much of the land to the American Government while the "Red Sticks" fought to preserve it. The remaining Creeks pass a law in their council that results in the death penalty to any one who relinquishes land to the "white man's" government. After much hostility and under-handed deals between many of the Creek and government officials coupled with the development of rail roads and the Industial Revolution, Franklin Roosevelt sees a need to preserve our natural history. This power becomes a spring-board in preserving the history of the Creek People and quite importantly, the technological growth and destruction of the natural habitats. Without this push to become more mindful of our natural history, it is scary to think if the people, plants and animals would be preserved to the degree they are today.
The recent "Visit the National Parks" campaign ad from the Department of the Interior is doing a fantastic job of calling on a vintage theme to draw in patrons. However, they struggle to make the ad campaign that widely visible. If I wasn't particularly fascinated in the history of our National Parks, I don't believe I would have become involved in learning about the National Parks and the Department of the Interior. Hopefully, in my law school endeavers I will become more involved and ideally work towards a career in the Department of the Interior as an attorney.
Here's my favorite poster from the "Visit the National Parks" Campaign! (I even have it hanging in my room!):
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