Cherokee

Definition

The Cherokee are a Native American tribe originally from the Southeastern United States, primarily in areas that are now North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. They were known for their sophisticated political structures, rich culture, and extensive agricultural practices before European contact, and later faced significant challenges as they interacted with European settlers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cherokee were one of the largest tribes in the Southeastern region and had a complex society with a rich oral tradition and elaborate ceremonies.
2. They developed a written syllabary created by Sequoyah in the early 19th century, which allowed them to publish newspapers and books in their own language.
3. The Cherokee were involved in various trade networks with European settlers and adapted many aspects of European culture while maintaining their own traditions.
4. During the 1830s, the U.S. government pursued policies that led to the forced removal of the Cherokee from their lands, culminating in the tragic Trail of Tears.
5. Despite adversity, the Cherokee Nation has persevered, establishing a government and economy that continue to thrive in contemporary times.

Review Questions

• How did the Cherokee adapt their society before European contact compared to other Native American tribes?
  • Before European contact, the Cherokee adapted their society by developing sophisticated agricultural practices, establishing permanent settlements, and forming complex political structures. Unlike many nomadic tribes, they cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash, which allowed for stable communities. Their ability to engage in trade with neighboring tribes also set them apart as a well-connected society that was both politically organized and culturally rich.
• What were the primary factors that led to the conflict between the Cherokee and European settlers during the 19th century?
  • The conflict between the Cherokee and European settlers stemmed from land disputes, differing cultural values, and U.S. government policies aimed at westward expansion. As settlers encroached on Cherokee lands for agriculture and mining opportunities, tensions escalated. The implementation of laws such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830 further exacerbated these tensions by forcing the Cherokee to relinquish their ancestral lands for settlement by Americans, ultimately leading to violent confrontations and legal battles.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee Nation and its cultural identity.
  • The Trail of Tears had profound long-term impacts on the Cherokee Nation, resulting in significant loss of life and disruption of their cultural practices. This forced relocation shattered their traditional ways of life and led to a reconfiguration of their communities. However, it also galvanized their sense of identity as a people who endured hardship together. In modern times, this resilience has fostered a strong sense of cultural revival and political activism within the Cherokee Nation, enabling them to reclaim their heritage and advocate for their rights as a sovereign nation.

Related terms

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of the Cherokee and other tribes from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma, which resulted in thousands of deaths due to harsh conditions.

Civilization Program: An initiative by the United States government aimed at assimilating Native Americans into European-American culture by encouraging agriculture, education, and Christianity.

Cherokee Nation:

The governing body of the Cherokee people that emerged after their removal from their homelands, which continues to exist today as a sovereign nation.