The Ups and Downs of the Cherokee Tribe
Did you know that the Cherokee Nation is one of only three federally recognized tribes that has the sovereign right to control their nation? That means that they have the right to control what goes on within their nation, despite the states government. Although the tribe may be doing well today, that hasn’t always been the case. The Cherokee Tribe had to overcome many obstacles and heartaches. Shortly after the first Cherokee entered the state in the vicinity of Travelers Rest in 1450, the Cherokees were put through many challenging times. (Cherokee Nation) They not only had their land taken many times, but their people were killed and forced out of their homes. Although their history is heartbreaking,
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This resulted in the Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia case. Many agreed that Georgia had no jurisdiction over the Cherokees and no claim to their lands. Unfortunately, Georgia’s officials ignored that decision and President Jackson refused to enforce it. When that didn’t work out, around one hundred members of the Cherokee tribe decided to sign the treaty of New Echota in 1831. In exchange for their cooperation, President Jackson agreed to give them money for the loss of land and possessions as well as livestock and other benefits. Even though that may seem like a good deal, many Cherokees felt betrayed. John Ross, the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, also felt betrayed and started a petition to the deal that was made by his people and Andrew Jackson. Although he presented the petition with almost 16,000 signatures, Andrew Jackson would not ignore the previous agreement. After many attempts to save their land, President Jackson finally ordered the United States Army to remove all Cherokee Indians from their homes in …show more content…
Before they began their journey to Oklahoma, the Cherokees were held in camps until winter. When winter finally arrived, nearly 7,000 members of the army escorted the Cherokees to the new Indian Territory. They traveled the Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers by boat and foot until they reached Oklahoma. (Buhle, Changing the Course of Government: Indian Removal) During this six month journey, nearly 4,000 out of the 18,000 Cherokees died from hunger, exhaustion, and diseases. When they finally reached the new Indian Territory, John Ross sought revenge on those who betrayed their tribe. Along with his men, Chief Ross murdered everyone who signed the treaty with President Jackson that gave up rights to their land for money. The Trail of Tears is one of the most remembered tragedies that happened in the history of the American Indians. The Cherokees, as well as other tribes, remembered that journey as the “the place where we cried.” (Dwyer) Today, that journey is remembered as the “Trail of Tears.” (The Cherokee