HISTORY MYSTERY: TRAIL OF TEARS

Cherokee Most advanced, largest, and powerful tribe of Native Americans who lived in Georgia. Lived in the northwest corner of Georgia, Tennessee, Carolinas, and Alabama. Constant conflict with white settlers over land; many farmers would settle on the Cherokee’s land violating their sovereignty. “The Showcase of the Cherokee Nation” was the two story mansion of Chief James Vann.

Creek Native American nations in the southeast made up of fourteen tribes (Yamacraw, Yamasee, and Ocmulgee) Known for their bravery and carrying on the ways of their fathers Outnumbered European settlers during Georgia’s colonial period. Sided with English during American Revolution Civil war broke out among the Creeks; Red Stick War Red sticks-those who wanted war White sticks-those who wanted peace

1790- Treaty of New York Signed by Creek Chief Alexander McGillivray and George Washington. Treaty of friendship created between the Creek nation and the United States Ceded Creek lands east of the Ocmulgee in return for protection, tools and animals, and as long as the U.S. promised to honor the boundaries of the remaining Creek lands west of the Oconee River.

1825- treaty of Indian springs Sold remaining Creek land in Ga. for 200,000. Negotiated by William McIntosh. It surrendered all Creek territory east of the Chattahoochee and accepted relocation west of the Mississippi. Other Creeks who disagreed sent a rival chief to execute McIntosh by shooting and stabbing him repeatedly

SequoyaH Cherokee who created a written language based upon syllables spoken, called a syllabary. The language was taught to Cherokee throughout. First Indians to have their own written language Used in their national newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenix and in creating a Cherokee constitution. Some adopted slavery and christianity

1828- Dahlonega gold rush The 1828 discovery of gold in the Cherokee Nation inspired a mad rush for the mineral. Thousands poured into Georgia desperate to find riches, totally ignoring the claims and rights of Cherokee in the area. Georgia legislature passed a law that placed part of the Cherokee land under state control declaring all Cherokee law null and void.

ANDREW JACKSON Lawyer and 7th U.S. President Was friendly with Native Americans, especially the Cherokee, when he needed help fighting wars. Fought with Cherokees against the Creeks in Red Stick War and defeated them at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend After being elected President, he pushed for the passing of the Indian Removal Act that called for all Native Americans to be relocated to western territories..(now Oklahoma) May 28 1830-signed Indian Removal Act Interesting Detail~ This act ignored the Supreme court ruling (Worcester vs. Georgia) that the Cherokee Nations was sovereign. .

John Ross Cherokee Chief who fought the Indian Removal Act until 1838 took a petition with 15,000 signatures to protest Indian removal (90% were from the Cherokee). Helped Cherokee take control of their forced expulsion Ross’ wife died on the Trail of Tears. Once in Oklahoma he helped reestablish the Cherokee Nation Created government buildings Served as principal chief until his death

Worcester vs. Georgia (Indians’ Last Hope) As a protest on behalf of the Indians, missionary Samuel Worchester and ten other people refused to sign allegiance to Georgia’s governor. They were arrested and eventually found guilty, but the Governor agreed to pardon anyone who would take an oath of loyalty to the state. The case was taken to the Supreme Court where Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Cherokee territory was not subject to state law because they were a sovereign nation and Worcester was to be set free. Everyone, including President Andrew Jackson, refused to honor the ruling.

Major Ridge Fought with Jackson in Creek War In 1835, he joined a minority of Cherokees in signing The Treaty of New Echota that ceded all remaining Cherokee land to the U.S. government. He moved to Oklahoma where he was ambushed and murdered near his new plantation in Indian Territory.

1838 - Trail of tears Led by General Winfield Scot, more than 4000 died from disease, exposure, malnutrition and accidents. Some were loaded on boats on the Mississippi and Tennessee, but most were forced to march the 800-1200 mile walk leading to the death of thousands over a course of 6 months. Over 17,000 Cherokees and 2000 African Americans as well as Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole