The U.S. steps up efforts to coerce Creek chiefs to sign a treaty for their removal to Indian Territory and to cede tribal lands in Alabama. According to the treaty, families could stay on the remaining allotted lands (320 acres per family), sell their allotments, or move to Indian Territory, where they are promised that they can live in peace. Those who choose to stay in Alabama are subjected to violence by American settlers, who invade their farms and villages, rape Muscogee women, and violently attack families until they are driven from their homelands. Swindlers, with the support of the government, also fraudulently take land from families. Of the 15,000 Muscogee who make the trek to Indian Territory, more than 3,500 perish (Nies, 1996).