The history of the Cherokee Nation is one steeped in tradition, heritage, and vibrancy, but it is also marred by enduring pain and resilience in the face of adversity. Today, we delve into a significant and tragic era in Cherokee history: the Trail of Tears, a dark chapter that saw the forced migration of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in the southeast United States towards the West, in a journey laden with affliction and despair. This monumental event has come to symbolize the ruthless consequences of American Manifest Destiny and the unfathomable suffering and loss endured by the Native American tribes.
- Official Cherokee Nation Website
- History Channel: Trail of Tears
- National Park Service: Trail of Tears
Cherokee Sovereignty: Before the Trail of Tears
Before delving into the Trail of Tears, it is crucial to understand the state of Cherokee sovereignty before this turbulent period. The Cherokees had established a complex political system, making them one of the “Five Civilized Tribes” in the eyes of European settlers (Cherokee Nation). Over time, the Cherokee Nation’s government adapted structures from their colonial neighbors, most notably with the creation of a Cherokee Constitution in 1827 modeled after the U.S. Constitution.
The Indian Removal Act
However, as the United States expanded towards the West, the government’s disregard for native rights grew more blatant. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, a policy that allowed the negotiation of the removal of Native American tribes residing in Southern states. The enforcement of this law over the next decade would catalyze the events leading to the Trail of Tears.
The Legal Battle and the Unlawful Treaty
The Cherokees mounted a legal defense against their forced removal through the Supreme Court cases Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) and Worcester v. Georgia (1832). Despite a ruling favorable to the Cherokee in the second case, President Jackson refused to enforce the ruling, famously stating: “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.”
In 1835, a small faction of Cherokees signed the Treaty of New Echota, which ceded all Cherokee land in the southeast in exchange for land out west and a sum of money. This treaty was signed without the approval or awareness of the majority of the Cherokee, including the Principal Chief, John Ross. However, the U.S government still viewed it as legitimate, leaving the Cherokee people with no choice but to leave their ancestral lands.
The Trail of Tears
Between 1838 and 1839, the forceful removal, now known as the Trail of Tears, began. Approximately 16,000 Cherokees, alongside other tribes such as the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole, were forced to march over 1,000 miles to Oklahoma. This journey was riddled with hardships: inclement weather, disease, and malnutrition. It is estimated that approximately 4,000 Cherokees lost their lives during this brutal relocation (History Channel).
The Impact and Legacy
The Trail of Tears marked a devastating loss for the Cherokee people — a loss of lives, a loss of their homeland, and a shattering blow to their sovereignty. After this tragedy, the Cherokee struggled to reestablish their society in Oklahoma, their new home.
Today, the Trail of Tears stands as a powerful symbol of the discrimination and atrocities the Native American tribes were subjected to. The enduring legacy of this dark period continues to influence Native American rights and identity discussions. The Trail of Tears is also remembered as a testament to the resilient spirit of the Cherokee people, who, despite immense suffering and loss, have sustained and adapted their rich culture to modern times.
In 1987, in the attempt to commemorate this tragic event, the U.S. Congress declared the Trail of Tears a National Historic Trail. This trail, spanning nine states, provides a thought-provoking journey through the path the Cherokee people were forced to traverse, urging us to reflect on a chapter of history that should not be forgotten (National Park Service).
The story of the Trail of Tears is a poignant reminder of the importance of respecting the rights and territories of Indigenous Peoples. As we delve into Cherokee history, we understand more deeply the strength in their resilience, their fight for survival, and their enduring connection to their ancestral lands and culture.