Cherokee

Definition

The Cherokee are a Native American tribe originally from the southeastern United States, specifically the area that includes present-day North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. During the Revolutionary War, the Cherokee were involved in various conflicts and alliances as they navigated the tensions between colonial forces and other Native American tribes, impacting their society and territory significantly.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Revolutionary War, the Cherokee were divided in their loyalties, with some supporting the British and others aligning with the American colonists.
2. The war led to significant conflict in Cherokee territories, resulting in loss of land and resources for many Cherokee communities.
3. Following the war, treaties were signed that often favored colonial interests over Native American rights, further diminishing Cherokee sovereignty.
4. The Cherokee developed a written language and a system of government modeled after European structures before their forced relocation.
5. The impact of the Revolutionary War set the stage for later conflicts, including the Indian Removal Act and subsequent displacement of the Cherokee people.

Review Questions

• How did the Revolutionary War affect the internal divisions within the Cherokee tribe regarding their alliances?
  • The Revolutionary War created significant internal divisions among the Cherokee as some members chose to ally with British forces while others supported American colonists. This division was largely driven by differing perspectives on how to best protect their land and way of life amidst increasing colonial encroachment. These alliances not only affected their immediate survival during the war but also led to long-term consequences for their territory and political standing after the war ended.
• Evaluate the consequences of treaties signed post-Revolutionary War on Cherokee land rights and sovereignty.
  • The treaties signed after the Revolutionary War often resulted in negative consequences for Cherokee land rights and sovereignty. Many treaties were coercively negotiated under pressure or threat of violence, leading to significant land loss for the Cherokee people. The outcomes of these treaties frequently reflected colonial interests more than those of the Cherokee, undermining their authority and control over their ancestral lands while setting a precedent for future displacement.
• Analyze how the experiences of the Cherokee during the Revolutionary War foreshadowed their later struggles with U.S. government policies.
  • The experiences of the Cherokee during the Revolutionary War foreshadowed their later struggles with U.S. government policies by establishing a pattern of broken treaties and forced removal. The divisions within their community during the war highlighted vulnerabilities that would be exploited by colonial powers in subsequent negotiations. As they faced increasing pressure from American expansionism in later years, these early encounters laid a foundation for ongoing conflicts over land rights and self-determination that culminated in tragic events like the Trail of Tears.

Related terms

Trail of Tears: The forced relocation of the Cherokee people in the 1830s, resulting in the death of thousands as they were moved from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.

Five Civilized Tribes: A term used to describe five Native American nations, including the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw, who adopted many European customs and established complex societies.

Treaty of Hopewell:

A series of treaties signed between the United States and Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, after the Revolutionary War that aimed to define boundaries and establish peace.