During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress tried to maintain peaceful relations with Native Americans and encouraged tribes to either fight against the British or remain neutral. Most tribes tried to stay neutral, but some could not avoid choosing a side in the conflict.

Few tribes formed a military alliance with either Great Britain or the United States. Those that chose to fight mostly allied with the British because they posed less of a threat to Native American lands, and they appeared to have the advantage in the war. The Delaware were one of the few tribes that allied with the Americans. They were also the first Native American tribe to sign a treaty with the new United States.