Cherokee Nation

Definition

The Cherokee Nation is a Native American tribal government that represents the Cherokee people, one of the largest federally recognized tribes in the United States. The Cherokee Nation has a long and complex history that is closely tied to the Indian Removal policies of the 19th century.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cherokee Nation was one of the Five Civilized Tribes, a group of tribes that had adopted many aspects of European-American culture and lifestyle.
2. The Cherokee Nation had its own constitution, laws, and government, and was recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States government.
3. In the 1830s, the Cherokee Nation was forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States and relocated to present-day Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears.
4. The Cherokee Nation has continued to exist as a federally recognized tribe, with its own government, laws, and institutions, and has played a significant role in the history and culture of the United States.
5. The Cherokee Nation has been at the forefront of efforts to preserve and revitalize their language, culture, and traditions, and has been a leader in the movement for Native American rights and sovereignty.

Review Questions

• Describe the political and cultural status of the Cherokee Nation prior to the Indian Removal Act.
  • Prior to the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee Nation was recognized as a sovereign nation by the United States government. The Cherokee had adopted many aspects of European-American culture, including a written language developed by Sequoyah, a constitution, and a system of laws and government. The Cherokee Nation was considered one of the Five Civilized Tribes, a group of tribes that had embraced elements of European-American society. This status as a recognized sovereign nation with a developed political and cultural system made the forced relocation of the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears particularly devastating.
• Explain the role of the Cherokee Nation in the Trail of Tears and the impact of this event on the tribe.
  • The Cherokee Nation was one of the tribes that was forcibly relocated during the Trail of Tears, a series of forced marches that resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans. The Cherokee were removed from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States and relocated to present-day Oklahoma. This event had a devastating impact on the Cherokee Nation, disrupting their way of life, separating families, and causing immense suffering and loss of life. The Trail of Tears was a significant trauma in the history of the Cherokee Nation, and the tribe has continued to grapple with the legacy of this event in the decades since.
• Analyze the ongoing significance of the Cherokee Nation in the context of Native American rights and sovereignty.
  • The Cherokee Nation has remained a prominent and influential voice in the movement for Native American rights and sovereignty. Even after the devastating events of the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation has continued to exist as a federally recognized tribe with its own government, laws, and institutions. The tribe has been at the forefront of efforts to preserve and revitalize its language, culture, and traditions, and has played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of Native Americans more broadly. The continued existence and resilience of the Cherokee Nation serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring spirit and determination of Native American peoples, and the tribe's ongoing struggle for self-determination and sovereignty remains an important part of the broader struggle for indigenous rights in the United States.

Related terms

Trail of Tears: The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The Cherokee Nation was one of the tribes that was forcibly relocated during this event.

Indian Removal Act: The Indian Removal Act was a United States federal law that authorized the president to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American tribal homelands for lands west of the Mississippi River. This act led to the forced relocation of many tribes, including the Cherokee Nation.

Sequoyah: Sequoyah was a Cherokee silversmith who created the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system that allowed the Cherokee people to read and write their own language. The Cherokee Nation adopted this writing system, which played a crucial role in preserving their culture and identity.