How Did White Settlers Affect The Cherokee Culture
The Cherokee nation is one of the many North American native cultures directly affected by the European white settlers. Even in ancient times, they were a very civilized and progressive people. Their culture was mainly agrarian, but focused around ceremonies, music, art, and games. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, “the Cherokee history was passed down orally from generation to generation” (The Cherokee Nation). They adapted to the white settlers by embracing their “formal education, developing a written language, adopting a constitution, and building a capitol city” (Maddox 105). Regardless of their efforts to blend in with the newfound American culture, preconceived notions and stereotypes prevented the Cherokee from becoming fully embraced by the white settlers into their society. Another contribution to the hostility shown towards the Cherokee was
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Andrew Jackson’s disposition concerning them. “As a boy in the 1770’s, Jackson had listened to stories of Indian violence toward settlers and…he developed prejudices that he…held throughout his life” (Maddox 106).
The 1830s brought much grief to not only the Cherokee nation, but also to all of the “Five Civilized Tribes” east of the Mississippi.
After they were faced with the prospect of Georgia taking their land, the Cherokee took the matter to the Supreme Court. “The Court’s rulings in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia supported the tribe’s contention that the state had no authority to negotiate with tribal representatives” (Brinkley 208). Their victory was short lived when “the Removal Act of 1830 was ratified by Congress and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson” (History & Culture). The Cherokee’s attempts to postpone the relocation were made in vain. In 1835, “Jackson had lost his patience,” and offered them $5 million dollars and the promise permanent residence on the new land without interference, but they were given two years to leave (Maddox 108). After John Ross, the principal chief of the Cherokee, signed the Treaty of New Echota, the Cherokee were then uprooted from their homes and forced to relocate to less hospitable lands in “Indian Territory,” which is known as Oklahoma
today. The aftermath of the Removal Act caused the “Five Civilized Tribes” to cede “over 100 million acres” of land to the federal government (Brinkley 210). Their trek to their new home was known as the Trail of Tears, due to the atrocities committed against them, which resulted in over 4,000 deaths (Maddox 109). Along the way members of the Cherokee nation held grudges against the tribal leaders for signing away their land and causing the suffering among the people. These grudges led to the murders of all the leaders, except John Ross. John Ross and his fellow people suffered much in their new home, but it did not stop them from forming a new capital with schools and public facilities. “The Cherokee still speak their language today and tribal traditions endure--testaments to the strength of a people, resolute in their desire to preserve their culture and heritage on their way for hundreds of miles to life in a new land” (United States. National Park Service).
Andrew Jackson’s disposition concerning them. “As a boy in the 1770’s, Jackson had listened to stories of Indian violence toward settlers and…he developed prejudices that he…held throughout his life” (Maddox 106).
The 1830s brought much grief to not only the Cherokee nation, but also to all of the “Five Civilized Tribes” east of the Mississippi.
After they were faced with the prospect of Georgia taking their land, the Cherokee took the matter to the Supreme Court. “The Court’s rulings in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia supported the tribe’s contention that the state had no authority to negotiate with tribal representatives” (Brinkley 208). Their victory was short lived when “the Removal Act of 1830 was ratified by Congress and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson” (History & Culture). The Cherokee’s attempts to postpone the relocation were made in vain. In 1835, “Jackson had lost his patience,” and offered them $5 million dollars and the promise permanent residence on the new land without interference, but they were given two years to leave (Maddox 108). After John Ross, the principal chief of the Cherokee, signed the Treaty of New Echota, the Cherokee were then uprooted from their homes and forced to relocate to less hospitable lands in “Indian Territory,” which is known as Oklahoma
today. The aftermath of the Removal Act caused the “Five Civilized Tribes” to cede “over 100 million acres” of land to the federal government (Brinkley 210). Their trek to their new home was known as the Trail of Tears, due to the atrocities committed against them, which resulted in over 4,000 deaths (Maddox 109). Along the way members of the Cherokee nation held grudges against the tribal leaders for signing away their land and causing the suffering among the people. These grudges led to the murders of all the leaders, except John Ross. John Ross and his fellow people suffered much in their new home, but it did not stop them from forming a new capital with schools and public facilities. “The Cherokee still speak their language today and tribal traditions endure--testaments to the strength of a people, resolute in their desire to preserve their culture and heritage on their way for hundreds of miles to life in a new land” (United States. National Park Service).