Incorporation and resistance : the native Southeast and the world economy

Between the late 1670s and the 1830s the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw were incorporated into the world-system. Their incorporation took place in two phases. Phase one was characterized by intense imperial competition and conflict. The mechanism of incorporation during this period was the deerskin trade. The second phase of incorporation was characterized by settler expansion, more complete economic and political restructuring for the southeastern societies, and their ultimate removal. During this phase, the southeastern nations experienced the development of private property and the emergence of class divisions. Both phases of incorporation were resisted by the southeastern societies. The first phase was notable for open rebellion and political resistance. The second phase was marked by a wider variety of forms of resistance, including rebellion and diplomatic and legal resistance. Ultimately this project argues for an expansion of the concept of incorporation. Many theorists adhere to an orthodox view, which defines incorporation as the integration of an area's production processes into the world-wide division of labor. However, there are cases where a region becomes hooked into the world-economy, but not to this degree. Analyses of incorporation must recognize this, as well as the existence of resistance.