A Trail of Tears: The Relocation of the Cherokee Nation
By Kyle Kufs
The Cherokee Nation established their tribe in the southeastern United States.
In the early 1800's the United States government began trying to take the Native Americans' land away from the tribes and push them west.
The Cherokee Nation were able to retain their land longer due to their well organized leadership and more advanced society.
The Cherokee tribe was able to keep their land as long as they did due to the presence of very strong leaders.
One such leader was a man known as "The Ridge" who worked with the United States government to make peaceful agreements regarding the relations of the Cherokee people and the Americans.
Another leader was John Ross who became the tribe's principle chief. During his time as chief he worked extensively to help the Cherokee remain on their land despite extreme adversity.
The Cherokee made advances that many other tribes never made. This made them more respected by the US government for a time.
The Cherokee developed an organized government, their own language, and a constitution.
Despite these advances President Andrew Jackson passed a bill to force the Cherokee off their land.
The Cherokee were placed under Georgia’s law for a short time until the Supreme Court ruled that they were to be under their own control.
President Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling and signed a treaty with some of the members of the tribe that signed over some of the Cherokee land in exchange for money to move west. Congress honored the treaty and gave the tribe two years to move west.
Many of the Cherokee refused to leave after the passing of the treaty. They stayed on their land for the two year period.
After two years they were forced from their homes with nothing more than what they had on their back.
The U.S. army lead some of them to the land out west on a fast paced march that killed many. John Ross agreed to move the tribe after.
John Ross lead 12,000 Cherokee west to their new land during a 3 month winter journey that killed 4000 tribe members.
This mass movement of the tribe was known as the Trail of Tears.
The Trail of Tears left the Cherokee tribe bitter and angry for almost thirty years.
Thirty years after the movement of the tribe the Cherokee developed into a prosperous nation once again.
They continued their traditions for years until the government removed them from their lands again years later.
