On the NBC hit comedy Parks and Recreation, Leslie’s (Amy Poehler’s) team works to strengthen her case that the Newport land should be turned into a national park. Unfortunately, while speaking with the media, Leslie chooses William Henry Harrison as an example to follow. She even refers to Harrison, the former Governor of Indiana (where P&R takes places) who later became President of the United States, as one of Indiana’s sweethearts.
In the early nineteenth century, Harrison seized millions of acres of land from American Indians and claimed it as part of the state of Indiana. His actions ignited/increased Indian resentment which ultimately lead to the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. When Tecumseh, a Shawnee chieftain wanted to establish an Indian confederation against the Americans, to protect their land, Harrison led an army of 1,000 men to destroy the confederacy. Harrison then ran for president with John Tyler. Their slogan was “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” Harrison defeated incumbent Martin Van Buren. Astonishingly, 80% of eligible voters voted in the election. Of course eligible voters included only white men.
