The Cherokee Removal The Americans of European ancestry often have described Native Americans as primitive, savage, and even and uncivilized. In this this paper I will provide primary evidence that supports what the Americans believed about the Natives, along with their few false accusations. I will also discuss how the Cherokee removal affected the natives during their journey along with afterwards. Before the removal was enforced, an upper class Cherokee, son of a warrior, John Ridge gave details on the Cherokee nation and how they are changing their lifestyles because of Americans. He wrote a letter to Albert Gallatin in February of 1826 that explained subjects such as the education being provided to the natives, the roles of the men and …show more content…
In June of 1839, a published letter was written called, “The Cherokee War” and in this letter was a description of how John Ridge was killed. The letter states, “About forty half and full blooded Cherokee Indians came to the house of John Ridge...they took him out of bed from beside his wife, carried him into the yard, and there butchered him in a most savage, brutal manner, by stabbing him in the body some twenty-seven times.” John Ridge was not the only one who had a death led from other Cherokee Indians, eight other principal men as well as John’s father were also killed. This letter provides information that the causes leading up to the deaths of these men were from the old Cherokee nation opposing the “Ridge Treaty.” The author of The Cherokee Removal, Theda Perdue, says on page 169 in the book, “ Only two years after their arrival, the Cherokees were tilling fields, sending their children to school, and attending Council meetings. Although there was political turmoil and considerable violence, the lives of most Cherokees seemed to be returning to normal.” The Cherokee had experienced a strong amount of pain together and are stronger and working together to overcome their