Lecture Notes: Cherokee History and Leadership

Key Figures

• Canung de Claget (The Ridge)

  • Known as "the ridge" or "the one who goes on the mountaintop."
  • Advocated for Cherokee safety and security through negotiations with the United States.
  • Born in 1771 into a vast Cherokee Nation across Southern Appalachians.

• Major Ridge

  • Worked to assimilate Cherokee life with Anglo-American practices.
  • Hoped to secure Cherokee sovereignty while adapting to U.S. cultural norms.
  • Encouraged education for future Cherokee leaders.

• John Ross

  • Descendant of mixed heritage; became notable Cherokee leader.
  • Guided the Cherokee Nation through diplomatic challenges.
  • Drafted a new Cherokee Constitution, mirroring U.S. political structure.

• John Ridge

  • Son of Major Ridge, educated among white Christian educators.
  • Advocated for Cherokee legal and political rights.

• Sequoyah

  • Created Cherokee syllabary, enabling widespread literacy.

Historical Context

• Early Cherokee History

  • Cherokee Nation faced constant threats from neighboring tribes and American settlers.
  • Sided with the British during the American Revolution, resulting in loss and destruction.

• Struggle for Sovereignty

  • The Ridge believed in adapting to U.S. ways to preserve Cherokee sovereignty.
  • Cherokee land ownership: communal, yet individuals could work on personal plots.
  • Civilization efforts led to class distinctions and new cultural norms.

Legal and Political Struggle

• The U.S. and Cherokee Relations

  • U.S. "civilization" policy aimed to assimilate Native tribes.
  • Promises of equality for Cherokees who embraced Anglo-American ways.

• Cherokee Sovereignty and Georgia

  • Georgia opposed Cherokee constitutional government.
  • Discoveries of gold and Jackson's presidency spurred aggressive American expansion.

• Supreme Court Cases

  • Worcester v. Georgia ruled in favor of Cherokee sovereignty.
  • President Andrew Jackson ignored the court's decision, leading to increased tensions.

Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears

• Indian Removal Act

  • Andrew Jackson prioritized removal of tribes from eastern lands.
  • Congressional debates highlighted sectional differences.

• Treaty of New Echota

  • Ridge faction signed the treaty against the majority's wishes.
  • Resulted in the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears.

• Consequences

  • Treaty ratified narrowly in U.S. Senate.
  • Vast majority of Cherokees opposed removal; protested through petitions.
  • Removal resulted in death and displacement of thousands.

Cultural and Societal Impact

• Cherokee Adaptation and Resilience

  • Despite loss, Cherokees rebuilt a strong nation in the west.
  • John Ross's leadership helped restore Cherokee governance and culture.

• Legacy

  • Cherokee Nation regained strength and maintained traditions.
  • Continued advocacy for sovereignty and cultural preservation.

Summary

• The lecture covers the complex history of Cherokee leadership, focusing on Major Ridge, John Ross, and John Ridge. It highlights the struggles faced in maintaining sovereignty amidst U.S. expansion efforts, culminating in the Trail of Tears and subsequent rebuilding of the Cherokee Nation in new territory. The story emphasizes resilience, leadership, and the enduring cultural identity of the Cherokee people.