Cherokee

Definition

The Cherokee are one of the Native American tribes originally located in the southeastern United States, particularly in areas that are now North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Known for their rich culture and advanced political systems, the Cherokee faced immense challenges during the 19th century, particularly with the implementation of the Indian Removal Act and the subsequent Trail of Tears.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cherokee developed a written alphabet created by Sequoyah, which allowed them to publish newspapers and literature in their own language.
2. They established a centralized government with a constitution, mirroring aspects of the United States' political system, which included an executive, legislative, and judicial branch.
3. In 1832, the Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia recognized the Cherokee Nation's sovereignty but was largely ignored by President Andrew Jackson, leading to their forced removal.
4. The Trail of Tears was not just a single event but a series of forced relocations affecting multiple tribes, with thousands of Cherokee suffering from disease, starvation, and exposure during the journey.
5. Estimates suggest that approximately 4,000 out of 15,000 Cherokee died during the Trail of Tears due to harsh conditions, highlighting the tragic consequences of U.S. policy towards Native Americans.

Review Questions

• How did the Cherokee adapt to European-American influences while trying to maintain their cultural identity?
  • The Cherokee adapted to European-American influences by adopting farming practices, establishing schools, and creating a written language developed by Sequoyah. They also formed a government based on the U.S. Constitution to assert their sovereignty. Despite these adaptations aimed at coexistence and preservation of their culture, they faced mounting pressure from settlers and the government leading up to the Indian Removal Act.
• Discuss the impact of the Indian Removal Act on the Cherokee Nation and how it altered their societal structure.
  • The Indian Removal Act had a devastating impact on the Cherokee Nation as it led to their forced displacement from ancestral lands to Indian Territory. This act disrupted their societal structure, as many were uprooted from established communities and traditional ways of life. The loss of land not only caused economic hardship but also fragmented their social networks, leading to long-term consequences for their cultural identity and unity.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee people and how it shaped their future as a nation.
  • The long-term effects of the Trail of Tears were profound for the Cherokee people, resulting in significant loss of life and deep psychological trauma that impacted generations. The forced relocation challenged their resilience but also fostered a renewed sense of identity and determination among those who survived. As they rebuilt in Indian Territory, they worked towards re-establishing governance and cultural practices while navigating ongoing challenges related to sovereignty and survival as a nation.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes from their homelands to Indian Territory during the 1830s, which resulted in great suffering and a high mortality rate among those who were displaced.

Sovereignty: The authority of a state or tribe to govern itself and make its own laws, a critical aspect of the Cherokee Nation's resistance against removal and preservation of their culture.