Pontiac (Pondiac, according to 18th-century French spelling, or Obwandiyag, according to 19th-century odawa tradition) was the war chief of the Odawa.
After the Seven Years' War, Pontiac took up arms to resist the arrival of the English, who wished to take control of the territory. Over the course of these conflicts, he developed relationships with various Aboriginal nations and many Canadians. From war chief of the Odawa, he became the leader of an informal coalition of native peoples.
The fight against the English regime failed, but Pontiac's battle enabled the Aboriginals to retain control of the territory west of the Appalachians.
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1710: Historians estimate Pontiac's birth year to be between 1710 and 1725.
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1755: He takes part in the capture of Fort Duquesne through an alliance with the Odawa, Michillimakinac and French.
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1757: He takes part in Montcalm's attack on Fort William-Henry.
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1760: Shortly after the surrender of Montreal, Pontiac is part of a peaceful welcoming party for English Major Rogers, who has come to take possession of Detroit.
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1762: Pontiac, other Odawa chiefs, various tribesmen (plains Ojibwe, Wyandot, Potawatomi) and two Canadians meet to discuss revolt.
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1763: Pontiac organizes an armed uprising against English occupation, marking the beginning of what is known as the “Pontiac Rebellion”.
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1763: The native coalition takes shape. It takes part in battles against English troops and attacks several forts: Detroit, Michilimackinac, Sandusky, St-Joseph, Miami, etc.
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1764: Prolonged conflicts with the English, coupled with a number of setbacks, lead to the growth of a peace-loving native group, which will hinder Pontiac's great struggle.
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1765: On April 18, Pontiac definitively renounces the idea of uniting the Great Lakes natives against the English.
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1766: From autumn onward, his loyalties lay with the English. Pontiac refuses to continue the fight against the new occupiers. This marks the end of his rebellion.
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1769: He is murdered on April 20, 1769, leaving a trading post in Cahokia, Illinois, USA.