Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Cherokee History and the Impact of Removal

Early Life and Stability of the Cherokee People

• The Cherokee people lived a stable life in 1828, with established cabins, farming practices, and schools. They integrated aspects of European culture while maintaining traditional ways.

• At their peak, the Cherokee Nation's territory spanned eight states in the southern Appalachians but was drastically reduced by over ninety percent due to land relinquishments from 1721 to 1819.

• The Cherokees faced devastating smallpox epidemics and conflicts with colonists during the 1700s but began rebuilding after these hardships. They established a formal government, police force, and court system.

Cultural Innovations and Challenges

• Unique among North American tribes, the Cherokees created their own written alphabet through Sequoyah's invention, allowing for rapid literacy among its people.

• The first Indian newspaper was published in both English and Cherokee, showcasing their cultural advancements despite external pressures from neighboring populations seeking more land.

Political Struggles Under Andrew Jackson

• With Andrew Jackson's election as President in 1828, attitudes towards the Cherokees shifted dramatically; he stated they "must disappear" amidst growing tensions over land ownership.

• Following Jackson’s election, Georgia enacted laws stripping civil rights from Cherokees—prohibiting them from testifying in court or meeting in council—and declared their government illegal. Elias Boudinot expressed outrage at this injustice: "Here is the secret... full license to our oppressors."

Gold Discovery and Increased Tensions

• The discovery of gold on Cherokee land led to an influx of white settlers eager to exploit resources; within months thousands invaded Cherokee territory despite legal claims to it.

• Georgia responded by deploying militias against those mining gold on Cherokee lands while introducing legislation aimed at removing all five southern tribes westward via the Indian Removal Act introduced in Congress in 1829.

Legal Battles for Sovereignty

• Despite widespread opposition against removal efforts reflected through petitions condemning it as immoral, the Indian Removal Act passed narrowly by five votes in May 1830 and was signed into law by President Jackson shortly thereafter. Chief John Ross led efforts to uphold guaranteed rights through legal channels including a landmark Supreme Court case: Worcester v. Georgia (1832).

• Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that "The Cherokee Nation is a distinct community... which the laws of Georgia can have no force," affirming their sovereignty yet facing disregard from President Jackson who continued advocating for removal regardless of judicial decisions.

The Struggles of the Cherokee Nation

Crisis and Treaty Negotiation

• The Cherokees faced severe oppression, with lower-class white individuals violently attacking them, leading to a sense of insecurity in their homes.

• In response to the crisis, some Cherokee leaders negotiated a Removal Treaty at New Echota in December 1835, believing it was necessary to save their nation despite overwhelming opposition from the majority.

Petition Against the Treaty

• Following the signing of the New Echota Treaty, nearly 90% of Cherokees signed a petition against it, demonstrating widespread dissent within the community. This petition was presented to Congress by Chief John Ross.

• Despite winning a case in the Supreme Court showing that most Cherokees opposed removal, their voices were ignored as the Senate ratified the treaty anyway.

Forced Removal Begins

• In May 1838, federal and state militia troops began rounding up Cherokees from their homes; many were captured and held in prison camps before being forced into large groups for relocation.

• By June 1838, approximately 16,000 Cherokees had been taken captive during this brutal process. Lieutenant John Phelps described these events as reminiscent of dark ages rather than contemporary reality.

Conditions During Relocation

• The transportation of Cherokees was severely hampered by drought conditions affecting river levels; many were forced to march long distances under harsh conditions resulting in significant loss of life along the way.

• At prison camps like Fort Cass and Ross's Landing, disease spread rapidly due to overcrowding and lack of access to medicine or traditional food sources; many infants and elderly died as a result.

Resilience Amidst Hardship

• Despite overwhelming adversity at Fort Cass prison camp, Cherokee leaders reaffirmed their nation's sovereignty through resolutions passed by council members amidst dire circumstances. Chief John Ross requested permission for Cherokees to manage their own removal process from General Winfield Scott.

• The first detachments managed by Cherokee leaders departed under harsh winter conditions; they faced relentless weather challenges while traveling over 800 miles toward new territories where they would attempt to rebuild their lives after suffering immense losses during removal efforts.

Legacy of Suffering and Survival

• An estimated 2,000 Cherokees died due to hardships related to removal; however, they began reconstructing their society upon arrival in new lands despite ongoing struggles throughout that first year post-removal.

• The Trail of Tears serves as a historical reminder not only for the Cherokee but also for other tribes affected by similar policies; Congress established the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in 1987 for preservation and education purposes about this tragic chapter in American history.

Cherokee Resilience and Cultural Preservation

The Trail of Tears and Its Legacy

• Exhausted Cherokees gathered strength to cover the final miles during the Trail of Tears, a significant historical event marked by suffering and loss. Protected sites serve as reminders of these grim realities.

• The Cherokee Nation has regained many sovereign rights over the years, becoming one of the largest employers in eastern Oklahoma while maintaining strong connections to traditional values.

• Despite facing overwhelming adversity, Cherokees have shown remarkable resilience and pride. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina includes descendants who escaped the roundup, successfully preserving their culture while flourishing alongside their western relatives.