1. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia 1831 John Ross- Cherokee Chief John Marshall- Chief Justice The Cherokee Nation wanted a federal injunction against laws passed by the state of Georgia for not permitting them their given rights. The Supreme Court did not hear the case and ruled that it had no original jurisdiction, the Cherokee were a dependent nation with the United States.

2. CHEROKEE NATION v. GEORGIA 1831 Court ruled the Cherokee were not a sovereign nation, but a dependent one. Had no standing to bring a lawsuit to the Supreme Court. (no original jurisdiction) DID have a right to their land. Georgia ignored the ruling.

3. Worcester vs. Georgia In the court case of Worcester vs. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1832 that the Cherokee Indians constituted a nation holding district sovereign powers. It did not protect the Cherokees from being removed from ancestral homeland in the Southeast.

4. Samuel Worcester A Vermont citizen who traveled to the Cherokee nation to pursue his missionary calling. However, him and six other white peoples were arrested by Georgia officials and removed from the tribal lands. They were charged for residing without a license or permit and without taking the oath to support and defend the constitution and the laws of Georgia.

5. Conti. Worcester defended himself saying he was preaching to the Gospel under the authority of the President of the United States and granted permission from the Cherokee Nation. He contended that Georgia had no jurisdiction since the U.S. recognized the Cherokee has a sovereign nation. The Court disagreed and found him and the others guilty and sentenced them to 4 years of hard labor in prison.

6. Decision Cherokee cited treaties with the federal government. John Marshall agreed with the Cherokee – said Georgia laws regarding the Cherokee were unconstitutional. – Cherokee a distinct community with their own laws. – Georgia can’t force them to do anything or enter their land without their permission. Georgia and Jackson ignored this.