The Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, has a long and complex history. One of the most significant aspects of this history is the various agreements that were made between the Nation and the U.S. government over the years. In this article, we will be discussing some of the most important agreements that the Cherokee Nation made with the U.S. government.
The Treaty of New Echota
Perhaps the most well-known agreement between the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. government is the Treaty of New Echota. This treaty, which was signed in 1835, ceded all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. government in exchange for $5 million and new land in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
However, the Treaty of New Echota was highly controversial within the Cherokee Nation. The treaty was signed by a small group of Cherokee leaders, known as the Treaty Party, who did not represent the majority of Cherokee people. The majority of Cherokee people opposed the treaty and considered it illegitimate.
The Indian Removal Act
Another important agreement that the Cherokee Nation was involved in was the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This act, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the U.S. government to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States and move them to Indian Territory.
The Cherokee Nation was one of the tribes that was forcibly removed as a result of this act. The Trail of Tears, which occurred in 1838-39, saw thousands of Cherokee people forced to leave their homes and travel hundreds of miles to Indian Territory. Many people died during this forced relocation due to hunger, disease, and exposure.
The Treaty of 1866
After the Civil War, the Cherokee Nation was forced to renegotiate its relationship with the U.S. government. In 1866, the Treaty of 1866 was signed, which recognized the Cherokee Nation as a sovereign nation. This treaty also ensured that the Cherokee Nation would be protected under U.S. law and that its citizens would be granted citizenship rights.
The Dawes Act
One of the most damaging agreements that the Cherokee Nation was involved in was the Dawes Act of 1887. This act authorized the U.S. government to divide Native American lands into individual plots, which were then given to individual Native American families. The goal of this act was to assimilate Native Americans into white American society by turning them into land-owning farmers.
However, the Dawes Act had disastrous consequences for the Cherokee Nation. The act led to the loss of large amounts of Cherokee land, as well as the fragmentation of traditional Cherokee communities and family networks.
In conclusion, the Cherokee Nation has made many agreements with the U.S. government over the years, some of which have had truly devastating consequences. From the Treaty of New Echota and the Indian Removal Act to the Treaty of 1866 and the Dawes Act, these agreements have shaped the history of the Cherokee Nation and continue to affect its people today.