Cherokees

Definition

The Cherokees were a Native American tribe that inhabited the southeastern part of the United States, particularly in Georgia, prior to their forced removal known as the Trail of Tears.

Related terms

Trail of Tears: The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, including the Cherokees, from their ancestral lands to designated territories west of the Mississippi River.

Indian Removal Act: The Indian Removal Act was a law signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830 that authorized the removal of Native American tribes from their lands in order to make way for white settlers.

Worcester v. Georgia: Worcester v. Georgia was a Supreme Court case in 1832 where Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Georgia's laws did not apply within Cherokee territory, affirming tribal sovereignty.