Introduction
Like any other country, the history of the United States of America has black and white sides. While white sides are a source of pride and a sign of current prosperity, dark sides provide food for thought and a reassessment of values. One such dark side in the history of the United States is the story of the forced displacement of about 60,000 Indigenous people, which was named the Trail of Tears (Jamil 239). The causes and consequences of the Trail of Tears, the chronology of events, and the influential personalities of that time will be covered in the paper. Although the events took place two centuries ago, they still resonate in the hearts of Americans. History must be studied to avoid repeating its mistakes, draw certain conclusions, and learn from them. The purpose of the paper is to reconstruct the chronology of the events of those years to better understand the history of the Trail of Tears. A detailed study of the Trail of Tears’ history of injustice to Indigenous people by the American government can significantly teach future generations of Americans.
Background
In order to better understand the history of the Trail of Tears, it will be useful to study the events that preceded it and the situation at that time. On 4 July 1776, one of the most important events in the history of the United States was the creation of a declaration of independence. However, the confrontation between the Americans and Britain did not end immediately. It lasted until September 3, 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris (Martinez 12). This event marked the peace between the United States and Britain and the end of the American Revolutionary War. It led to their desire to settle in the United States and colonize more territory. Laws and papers were passed, such as the Articles of Confederation, the Land Ordinance of 1785, and the Northwest Ordinance (Jamil 240). These documents formed the basis for the further development of the United States. It is worth noting that many wealthy Americans, such as President George Washington, began buying up lands (Martinez 11). Notably, many of the buyers faced discontent and opposition from indigenous settlers.
At this time in the Southeast United States, different events were developing. The indigenous settlements in the area were called the Five Civilized Tribes. Among them were Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole (Jamil 239). The Five Civilized Tribes were part of the Southeast of The United States well before the events of 1776-1783. Consequently, it is expected that these indigenous settlements will defend their native lands. Evidence of this is in the actions that the Cherokee leaders took to preserve their territories, such as the signing of the Treaty of Hopewell in 1785 or the Treaty of Holston in 1791 (Martinez 17). The Treaty of Holston was signed by the governor William Blount. Both treaties concluded between the Cherokee people, and the United States government representatives gave hope to Cherokee that their native lands would not be bought and taken. They established the boundaries of the territories belonging to the people of Cherokee (Martinez 17). However, the Americans continued their attempts to steal and seize the lands of the Five Civilized Tribes, and in particular the lands of the Cherokee, despite signed treaties.
Who are the Cherokee people
Before determining the reasons behind the American government’s decision to forcibly relocate the people of the Cherokee and other groups of the Five Civilized Tribes, it is essential to say a few words about how these Native Americans lived. Cherokee women had an important place in the Cherokee family. According to Ehle, “a Cherokee woman had more rights and power than European women. She decided whom she would marry, and a man built a house for her” (3). These Native Americans were farmers and herders and were primarily polite and hospitable (Ehle 2). As Ehle claims, “the man enjoyed ball games, and hunting…” (2). This description gives the reader the understanding that the Cherokee were peaceful and friendly people, which eliminates the possibility of harm to Americans on their part.
Causes of the United States Government actions
In addition to the desire of Americans to colonize new lands and expand the territory of their state, it is necessary to highlight some more reasons which determined the actions of the American government. Among them is the desire to use the territory of Cherokee for cotton growing (Smith 6). It was due to the Americans’ desire to improve the country’s economic situation. Another reason was the discovery of gold reserves in 1828. According to Martinez, “north Georgia is flooded by thousands of white gold miners when gold is discovered on Cherokee lands” (18). It happened in the small town of Dahlonega and made this land valuable.
Turning point in the Trail of Tears
A key turning point in the Trail of Tears history is the events between 1827 and 1830. At this time, two documents were adopted by the people of Cherokee and the American government led by President Andrew Jackson. Cherokee sought to assert their status as legitimate residents of these territories. In 1827, they adopted their constitution and tried to prove to the Americans that they were a nation (Martinez 18). However, three years later, in 1830, the American government adopted the Indian Removal Act, which formalized the right of Americans to occupy the lands of the native Indian settlers on which they had always lived (Martinez 18). Cherokee did not give up and took appropriate steps. According to Martinez, “Cherokee leader Major Ridge evicts illegal white squatters from Cherokee lands along the Georgia-Alabama border” (19). The United States Government has taken specific measures to force Cherokee to leave these territories and to worsen their lives. Martinez claims that in 1832 “Cherokee property confiscation starts in parts of the state of Georgia” (20). This fact highlights the government’s intention to evict the Cherokee from the Southeast United States at any cost.
The attempts by the U.S. government to worsen the lives of the Cherokees were vile and fickle. It was not just the confiscation of property and the destruction of Native American homes. Among the actions of President Andrew Jackson and his government were strategies to undermine the morale and welfare of the Cherokee. As Smith claims, “and yet Cherokee came to believe that whites were destroying their people through a violent land grab and moral degeneracy sparked by greed, immorality, and a spread of alcohol” (5). The Cherokee leaders – Major Ridge and Elias Boudinot, understood the dangers of the situation (Smith 5). On the one hand, they were aware of the value of their homelands, on which they had lived for centuries. On the other hand, as they watched the American Government’s dastardly actions against their people, they also understood the need to preserve people and national culture.
The first results of the American government’s action against Cherokee appeared in 1833. At this time, according to Martinez, “treaty of Fort Gibson forces western Cherokees reduction of their lands in the West” (10). This was the beginning of the forced relocation of the Cherokee Native Americans. The actions of the United States Government to weaken the morale of the Native Americans were gradually manifested. From the destruction of cultural heritage and homes to the use of power to force Cherokee to leave their lands.
The final defeat of Cherokee in the struggle for their native lands can be considered 1835. The United States Senate adopted the Treaty of New Echota (Martinez 20). According to this document, the American government granted itself the right to exchange territories in which the Cherokee lived for money. It is important to highlight the fact that several Cherokee were forced to sign this treaty. In exchange, they received $5 million and a guarantee of other lands for resettlement (Martinez 20). Later, these members of the tribe were declared traitors. According to Smith, “their crime? Betraying the Cherokee Nation by selling tribal lands without approval – and the penalty was death” (1). As a result of the Cherokee losing the battle for their homeland, they were forced to leave Southeast of the United States. Between 1835 and 1838, the United States Senate took all necessary steps to make this final. According to the Treaty of New Echota, the Cherokee were to leave their lands and leave to the Indian Territory.
Results
In 1838, the American government, led by Martin Van Buren, took violent action against Cherokee. According to Ellis, “President Martin Van Buren, pressured by Georgia, ordered seven thousand soldiers to round up the Indians at gunpoint. Their homes burned before their eyes, while soldiers dug into the family graves in search of gold and silver” (3). After 1838, repression against Native Americans, particularly Cherokee, did not end (Ellis 4). Despite the Cherokee’s death toll in the Trail of Tears, estimated at around 4,000, the US government continued its actions. As a result, according to Smith, the “Trail of Tears has sometimes been called an American holocaust or genocide” (2). This event has become a dark chapter in the history of the United States.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it will be important to highlight what the history of the Trail of Tears teaches. These events can be an essential source of experience for future generations of Americans. First of all, one should pay attention to how the Five Civilized Tribes, particularly the Cherokee, fought for their lands. In them, Native Americans saw not just territories but the continuation of their lineage, nations, and families. It is a sacred place for them, for which they were ready to fight to the end, as evidenced by all those attempts described in this paper. This struggle is an example of how to value and preserve the homeland. Another reason Trail of Tears can teach a lot is the dark side of this event. The actions of the American government of that time became a form of villainy and dishonor. By any means, the Americans sought not only to rob the Cherokee of their land but also to destroy their culture and people. It should be a reminder to all future generations of Americans of what cannot be done. Today, two centuries after the events of that time, the emblem of the state of Georgia is the Rosa Laevigata, also known as the Cherokee Rose. It reminds all Americans of the brave Cherokee, who fought for their homeland.
Works Cited
Ehle, John. Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2011.
Ellis, Jerry. Walking the Trail: One Man’s Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears. U of Nebraska Press, 2001.
Jamil, Adil. “The Trail of Tears Poems Revisited.” International Journal of English, Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS), vol. 5, no. 1, 2020, pp. 239–247.
Martinez, Donna. Documents of American Indian Removal. ABC-CLIO, 2018.
Smith, Daniel. An American Betrayal: Cherokee Patriots and the Trail of Tears. Henry Holt and Company, 2011.