Cherokee Tribe

Definition

The Cherokee Tribe is one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, originally inhabiting areas in the southeastern region, including parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, complex social structure, and significant historical impact, particularly during the period of European colonization and U.S. westward expansion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cherokee Tribe has a unique governance system based on a constitution established in 1827, which laid out their form of government that still influences their political structure today.
2. They developed a syllabary created by Sequoyah in the early 19th century, allowing them to maintain their language and culture despite external pressures.
3. In the early 1800s, some Cherokee adopted farming and other practices from European settlers, demonstrating adaptability while striving to preserve their traditions.
4. The tribe was significantly impacted by the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to their forced displacement and loss of ancestral lands.
5. Today, the Cherokee Nation is one of the largest tribal governments in the U.S., focusing on economic development, education, health services, and cultural preservation.

Review Questions

• How did the governance structure of the Cherokee Tribe adapt over time, especially in relation to external pressures from European settlers?
  • The governance structure of the Cherokee Tribe evolved significantly as they faced pressures from European settlers. Initially, they had a matrilineal society with a council of chiefs; however, by adopting a formal constitution in 1827, they established a more organized government with elected officials. This adaptation allowed them to create laws and structures that mirrored those of European Americans while also maintaining elements of their traditional governance.
• Discuss the impact of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee Tribe's social structure and cultural identity.
  • The Trail of Tears had a devastating impact on the Cherokee Tribe's social structure and cultural identity. The forced removal resulted in significant loss of life and trauma, fracturing communities and displacing families. However, it also led to resilience as they worked to preserve their culture through storytelling, language preservation efforts like Sequoyah's syllabary, and re-establishing community ties in new territories. This historical trauma continues to shape their identity today.
• Evaluate how the adoption of Western agricultural practices influenced the economic status and political strategies of the Cherokee Tribe in the 19th century.
  • The adoption of Western agricultural practices allowed the Cherokee Tribe to improve their economic status by increasing food production and trade opportunities with settlers. This shift not only helped them demonstrate their ability to coexist with European Americans but also served as a political strategy to assert their rights to land ownership. By showcasing their adaptation to farming, they aimed to negotiate better terms with U.S. government officials during a time when their sovereignty was increasingly threatened by policies like the Indian Removal Act.

Related terms

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of the Cherokee and other tribes from their ancestral homelands to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma during the 1830s, resulting in tremendous suffering and loss of life.

Cherokee Nation:

The federally recognized government of the Cherokee Tribe, which operates independently and oversees various programs and services for its citizens today.

Sequoyah: A Cherokee silversmith who created the Cherokee syllabary, a written system for the Cherokee language that significantly contributed to literacy among the tribe.