Cherokee
Topic: Settler Colonialism: Native Peoples of America and Australia · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 6 "Displacing Indigenous Peoples"
Meaning
The Cherokee are a native people who lived in the state of Georgia in the USA. Of all native peoples, they tried hardest to learn English and American ways. Even so, Georgia's laws applied to them, yet they had none of the rights of citizens. Their story shows that copying settler ways did not protect natives from losing their land.
Example
In 1832, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Cherokees were 'a distinct community, occupying its own territory'. Georgia's laws had no force there. President Andrew Jackson refused to honour the ruling and sent the army to drive them out. On the 'Trail of Tears' in 1838, more than a quarter of the 15,000 Cherokees forced to leave died.
Related concepts
- Worcester v Georgia
- Indian Removal Act 1830
- Trail of Tears
- Indian reservations
- American Indian Wars
- Wounded Knee Massacre 1890
- Chief Seattle