Fort Mims, a small outpost near Mobile, Alabama, became the site of one of the deadliest massacres during the Creek War, which was fought between 1813 and 1814. The 'Red Sticks', a faction of the Creek Nation who opposed American expansion, attacked the fort on a late summer day. At the time, tensions were high due to increasing encroachments by American settlers on Creek lands, leading to a struggle for control in the region. The fort was poorly defended; local militia members were present but were caught by surprise by the ferocity and strategic planning of the Creek warriors.

The assault on Fort Mims resulted in the deaths of over 500 individuals, including soldiers and civilians. The Red Sticks employed brutal tactics, overwhelming the defenders quickly. Many of the settlers were slaughtered in a matter of hours, and the fort was burned to the ground. This incident was a pivotal moment that escalated the conflicts in the area, leading to more aggressive military campaigns by American forces against the Creek Nation. It also fueled public sentiment against Native Americans in general, shaping the policies of expansionist settlers.

In response to the massacre, the U.S. government ramped up its military efforts against the Creek factions, significantly intensifying the Creek War. This conflict subsequently played a role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the American Southeast, influencing U.S. relations with Native American tribes and setting the stage for the further displacement of Indigenous peoples.