Cherokee Tribe

Definition

The Cherokee Tribe is a Native American nation originally from the Southeastern United States, particularly known for their rich culture and history. They played a significant role in early Appalachian settlements, interacting with European settlers and adapting to changing circumstances, which influenced their traditional ways of life and community structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cherokee were one of the largest tribes in the Southeastern United States, with a population estimated at over 20,000 before European contact.
2. Their society was matrilineal, meaning lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother's line, which influenced their social structure and family dynamics.
3. The Cherokee developed a written language created by Sequoyah, known as the Cherokee syllabary, which significantly increased literacy among the tribe.
4. They established a government modeled after the United States Constitution, complete with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch, highlighting their political sophistication.
5. The interaction between the Cherokee and European settlers led to both cultural exchange and conflict, shaping early Appalachian settlements and leading to significant changes in land ownership and usage.

Review Questions

• How did the social structure of the Cherokee Tribe influence their interactions with European settlers?
  • The Cherokee Tribe's matrilineal social structure greatly influenced their interactions with European settlers by promoting strong family ties and communal decision-making. This structure enabled them to negotiate and interact with settlers more effectively, as women held significant power in choosing leaders and making decisions for the community. The importance of kinship and community cohesion helped them navigate challenges posed by colonization and maintain their cultural identity amid external pressures.
• Discuss the significance of the Cherokee syllabary developed by Sequoyah and its impact on Cherokee society.
  • The creation of the Cherokee syllabary by Sequoyah was a monumental achievement that had a profound impact on Cherokee society. It allowed for greater literacy among the Cherokee people, facilitating communication, education, and cultural preservation. The ability to read and write in their own language helped solidify their identity as a distinct nation and provided them with tools to engage with governmental processes and negotiations with European settlers. This advancement also fostered a sense of pride within the community as they adapted to changing times.
• Analyze how the policies enacted during the Indian Removal Act impacted the Cherokee Tribe's political structures and community life.
  • The Indian Removal Act had devastating effects on the Cherokee Tribe's political structures and community life by forcibly uprooting them from their ancestral lands. This displacement disrupted established governance systems that had been developed based on democratic principles similar to those of the U.S. government. As they faced loss of land, resources, and sovereignty during their relocation on the Trail of Tears, many tribal members experienced trauma that shattered their communal bonds. The struggle for survival during this period forced them to adapt quickly to new realities while fighting to preserve their identity as a people.

Related terms

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation in the 1830s, which resulted in the death of thousands as they were moved from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory.

Cherokee Phoenix: The first Native American newspaper, established by the Cherokee Nation in 1828, which was significant for promoting literacy and communication within the tribe and beyond.

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands to lands west of the Mississippi River, heavily impacting tribes like the Cherokee.