<P> The people of the Mississippi Territory favored war with Britain in 1812 . By 1810, belief in the national policy of economic coercion was waning in what was then called the Southwest, while desire for unrestricted trade and a vindication of national honor was rising, intermingled with desire for Spanish Florida . However, problems of land claims, Indians, internal improvements, and statehood issues continued to excite more local interest than the coming of war . Most saw no conflict between war issues and local interests; in fact, some foresaw war as a way of resolving certain local problems . </P> <P> Following a successful attack on a white expedition at the Battle of Burnt Corn, the Red Sticks, a hostile faction of the Creeks, determined to attack and destroy Fort Mims in the eastern part Mississippi Territory (modern Alabama). Poor scouting, an attack at noon when most of the garrison was eating, seizure of the port holes by the Indians, and inability to close the main gates were all elements in the defeat on August 30, 1813 . Of the 275 to 300 whites and half - breeds in Fort Mims at the time of the attack, between 20 and 40 escaped; therefore, about 235 to 260 whites and friendly Indians were killed in the battle . Creek losses were at least 100 killed . </P> <P> The massacre had significant short - and long - range effects . It triggered a major Indian war that involved a substantial build - up of American military force in the area--which probably prevented the British from occupying an undefended Gulf coast in 1814 . More importantly, relations between Americans and the southern Indians changed drastically . The Creeks, who had been living peacefully and in close contact with the settlers of the Mississippi Territory, lost more than half their land, and within twenty years were forced to move west of the Mississippi River . </P> <P> Brigadier General Ferdinand L. Claiborne, commander of the Mississippi militia, was not to blame for the massacre, but Major Daniel Beasley was guilty of gross negligence . At the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on March 27, 1814, American forces and Indian allies under General Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Sticks, killing most of the warriors and sending the rest fleeing to Florida, where they joined the Seminole tribe . </P>

How did the war of 1812 affect the mississippi territory
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