Who are the Big Knives?

Question: Who are the Big Knives!?

In his speech to a tribal council in the spring of 1812, the shawnee Chief Tecumseh kept referring to a group of people called the "Big Knives!." Who is this group that he is referring to!?!?

This speech is following the battle of tippecanoe/ Tecumseh's war!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The U!.S!.Army officers carried swords at their left hip, which earned the name "big knives" by the Indians!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

He was referring to Americans!. The expression was an allusion to the use of swords by Europeans!. The Shawnee came to use the term "long knife" ("wasichu") to refer to Europeans and Americans of European ethnicity!. By the War of 1812, the Shawnee were allied with the British and at war with the United States; so, by that time Tecumseh was refering to Americans as opposed to Europeans more generally or the British more narrowly!.Www@QuestionHome@Com