Jackson and the CherokeeSassoUS I

Jackson• Jackson wants any Indian

tribes remaining in the East to move out west

• His feelings towards Natives are pretty intense, considering his battles against them

• However his attitude is not that much different from most white Americans

• Many people feel that the Natives are “uncivilized” and “uncivilizable”

Jackson• Many different reasons for these thoughts• Continual war with Natives, particularly along the

western borders• Many Natives still possess some of the best lands in

the East and South • South: 5 Civilized Tribes- Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw,

Choctaw, Seminole• These tribes are a bigger issue for Jackson• Unlike the nomadic tribes of the North and West,

these tribes were in settled, farming societies

The Cherokee• The Cherokee were the

most “civilized” of Native American tribes

• Developed their own forms of courts and government based off of the United States model

• Had their own alphabet, newpapers, etc.

• They were truly trying to assimilate into white American Culture

• Many Cherokee had also converted to Christianity; many Christian missionaries living on Cherokee land

Indian Removal Act 1830• Indian Removal is not

really a new concept• US had been trying to

do it for years• Removal Act of 1830

created new funds for negotiating with Natives for their lands• Some Natives

negotiated, some didn’t

The Cherokee• The Cherokee do not

want to give up their territory to the U.S. government or other settlers

• Big problem springs up for them in the early 1830’s- gold is discovered on Cherokee land

• A rush of settlers from Georgia start to invade

• Really abuse the Cherokee

• Ignore all of their tribal laws and government

The Cherokee• The Cherokee don’t

really fight back• If they fight back,

that proves all of the stereotypes that whites have of them• Try to appeal

through the American court system

Two Landmark Cases• Cherokee Nation v.

Georgia • Cherokee appeal to the

Supreme Court• Say that they are a

sovereign nation, and that the Supreme Court could help them out• Chief Justice Marshall

threw the case out• Cherokee are a

“Domestically Dependent” nation and have a “Trust relationship” with U.S.

Two Landmark Cases• Worcester v. Georgia• Christian Missionaries

who were improperly jailed• Marshall states that

Native territories are distinct political communities• Their authority is

exclusive in those communities

Jackson• Jackson is not pleased• “John Marshall made

his decision; now let him enforce it.”• Jackson refused to

carry out the ruling of the Supreme Court• Natives continue to be

attacked• Ultimately leads to the

Trail of Tears

Trail of Tears