WARNING: Spoilers for Episode 2, Season 6 of Outlander
The second episode of Outlander season 6 teased a growing conflict between the settlers of Fraser’s Ridge and the native Cherokee who border the settlement as the Revolutionary War approaches, and this story has roots in true history. In the episode, Jamie asks time-traveler and knowledgable historian Claire if she remembers which side the Cherokee fought on during the Revolutionary War: the British or the Colonists. Unfortunately, Claire can’t recall, though the knowledge of the real history of this conflict would likely be useful to the Frasers in the episodes to come.
For the past two seasons, Outlander has seen the Fraser family establish a growing colony in North Carolina, aptly named Fraser’s Ridge. However, this colony has had its problems in the past, as the land was taken from the native Cherokee, who refer to Jamie as “Bear-Killer.” Though Jamie now acts as a mediator between the Cherokee and the British governor in the province (and a procurer of firearms for the tribe), his actions regarding the Cherokee may have consequences for the Frasers in the episodes and seasons to come, as the real history of the Cherokee during this time hints at a dark outlook for the settlers of Fraser’s Ridge.
By the time the Revolutionary War began in North Carolina, the Cherokee were indebted to and eventually fought on the side of the British loyalists. During the Revolution, British loyalists tried to evict settlers in North Carolina at the start of the war by citing their trespassing on Cherokee land. Because of this, many Cherokee, particularly the Overhill Cherokee, were persuaded to fight on the side of the British as they both viewed settlers as a common enemy. The Cherokee worked together with British loyalists to attempt to evict settlers like former Freemason Jamie Fraser off their land and helped lead the military campaign in backwoods provinces throughout the Carolinas, as British resources were spread too thin. If the show follows real history, Claire’s lapse in knowledge on the subject might have ramifications in Outlander going forward. As Outlander rapidly approaches the Revolutionary War, stories from the pages of history may very well play out in the series.
Additionally, by the end of Outlander season 6, episode 2, Jamie is persuaded to negotiate the sale of firearms from the British to the Cherokee in the area. It’s likely that Claire and Jamie (who recently rekindled romantically) will learn that they’ve armed a future enemy of theirs; a secondary reason the Cherokee historically sided with the British loyalists was due to ongoing trade deals like the one Jamie negotiated in the episode. Throughout the past season, Jamie and Claire resolved repeatedly to fight on the side of the Colonists once the revolution came. However, it seems now that the couple may have unfortunately stacked the deck in their enemy's favor.
In no uncertain terms, Outlander is slowly beginning to ramp up toward the Revolutionary War. Armed with knowledge from the future, Brianna, Roger, and Claire will undoubtedly have to help Jamie and the settlers of Fraser’s Ridge in the conflicts to come. However, in the case of the bordering Cherokee, their lack of foresight might cost them dearly, as knowledge regarding the history of the Cherokee in this region could spare the characters of Outlander from the risk of eviction, or worse.
New episodes of Outlander air Sundays on Starz.