The Black Hawk War of 1832 was an armed conflict between the United States and a group of Sauk, Meskwaki (Fox), and Kickapoo men led by Sauk war leader Black Hawk. The group was also known as the “British Band” due to their alliance with the British. The war occurred in the Illinois and Michigan territories and was the culmination of Indigenous resistance to white settlement in the region. In 1832, Black Hawk led a group of warriors along with a significant number of Sauk, Fox, and Kickapoo men, women, and children across the Mississippi to reclaim his Indigenous Sauk land east of the river. The advent of the tribe concerned the white settlers and galvanized the US army, state militias who were convinced about an upcoming attack to the settlements.

By 1832, several people of the Sauk tribe had relocated west of the Mississippi to avoid violent confrontation with the United States. The leader of the group that had accepted removal was Ke-o-kuck, an unofficial leader of the tribe who had participated in the War of 1812 against American expansion and often spoke in negotiations with the government. Black Hawk, a war leader, was in charge of the oppositional group that resisted removal and resolved to remain and defend his homeland if necessary.