Readings - The Cherokee Removal A Brief History with Documents (intro.; chaps. 1-2) 100 pp.
Points of Entry:
Thomas Jefferson and Early U.S. Scientific Inquiry:
Lewis and Clark Expedition and Early Expansion:
Early U.S. Immigration:
19th Century Children:
Sunday School Books:
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail:
Questions:
List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading.
What are some of the arguments?
How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?
Quote 1:
ReplyDelete"Because the Cherokee were matrilineal--that is they traced kinship soley through women..."
The main argument here is the gendered roles and economies constructed in Cherokee society. The women dominated the majority of family and community life. In opposition to this were the Europeans. The British gender roles were nearly untouchable and policies that underminded these gender roles were frown upon. More so it is interesting to ponder the implications of European hegemony in the United States and how it has affected political, cultural and societal trends. Women, in essence, have become a centerfold for social change as opposed to pre-colonial indigenous peoples who had gender parellelism. This contrasts the "noble savage" ideologies, and exemplifies how advanced these peoples truly were.
Quote 2:
"Young Wolf lived in a period where men could no longer follow their traditional pursuits of hunting and war."
Young Wolf, like many natives, faced the intrusive adoption of "civilization." Just like the Africans (Igbo,etc), the Cherokee faced imagined communities. They were thus sent packing and marginalized by virtue of displacement. How horrid a history can trump this tradegy? This is by far the most tragic, and atrocious American event in history because as the "American Dream" moved onwards, millions moved to the shallow graves of stravititude, acholoism, and poverty. As imperialism and nationalism increased so did the numbers of those were not "citizens." Thus, displacement did not only mean geographical adjustment, and topographic removal but also a lack of quasi-political and legal identity. Therefore, if the noble savages' blank slate was true then so was this displacement.
In essence, history as long as it does not emphasize this publicly and accessible from an early age will remain the same-- same meta-narrative of manifest destiny.
"The signing of the treaty of 1835... did not end the opposition to removal." Pg 153
ReplyDeleteThis quote shows that the people of the Cherokee Nation were not satisfied with being taken advantage of by the United States. Their opposition showed their willingness to stand up to the strong power that the US was becoming. It was a fight to preserve their home and heritage.
"The detachment of 1,250 people left in October... seventy one people died en route and five new were born." Pg 171
This quote shows how long and hard the trail of tears was to be on. It shows how many people died on the journey. It shows us that the removal wasn't over when they left, it continued all the way to Oklahoma. It serves as a reminder of what to avoid and a mistake that could have been avoided.
“Ultimately the Cherokees turned to the United States Supreme Court to protect their rights. In 1832, when the court ruled in favor of Cherokee sovereignty in Worcester v. Georgia, the state refused to respond to the courts decision.” (20-21)
ReplyDelete“They scheduled an election for delegates in which only Cherokee men could vote, for May 1827.” (58)
The above quotes show who is in charge no matter the ethnicity which is the males and the landowners with money. The citizenship of Cherokees was in question throughout much of the 19th century and although the Cherokees attempted to use the system such as courts of the Europeans/colonists, it didn’t make much of a difference for them. They had a similar system of the men in charge of the constitution which changed from the women being in charge because of the systems introduced to the Cherokees by the colonists. Citizenship was hard to gain even for male land owning Cherokees as shown by the colonists not accepting the Cherokees idea of a constitution and a Cherokee nation. The males stayed in charge in the colonists way of life which trickled into the Cherokees life. The influence here is undeniable within the Cherokees and the way the colonists expanded into the Cherokee land which changed their lives forever.
“Despite the terrible losses from epidemics, the Cherokees remained a powerful people in the Southeast and an important strategic ally.” (pg 5)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is referring to the Cherokees contact with the British and the role that it played for the benefits of the British. The paragraph also touches on the main reasons that the British traveled into the Cherokee region, deerskins and war captives. I think this quote directly ties in with the discussion we had in class based on the importance that the Cherokee people had in being allies with the British.
“Section 4- No person shall be eligible to a seat in the General Council, but a free Cherokee male criticize, who shall have attained to the age of twenty-five...” (pg 62).
This quote comes from the Constitution of the Cherokee Nation. I found this section notably worthy because it related to the themes we discussed in class about the Indians being treated just as slaves. This quote is referring to the section that explains what’s considered eligible councilman. They must meet the criteria of being a free male citizen, 25 years of age, descendants of free Cherokee men and women and may not have any negro or Mulatto in them. If you didn’t know who this was being directed to, most people would think that it was referring to African Americans rather than native Americans.
“The greatest challenge to the Cherokee world and belief system came with the arrival of the Europeans” (Pg 5)
ReplyDeleteThe arrival of the Europeans into the Cherokee way of life created a variety of problems. The first problem was one of the major problems faced by all Native American tribes at the time, disease. The Cherokee had lived independently and separate for years, giving them little immunity against powerful diseases such as small pox and measles. The devastation brought by diseases created a loss not only in population but many elders who taught the traditions and spread wisdom to the younger generation were lost in the fight against diseases. With dwindling numbers and a lack of cultural identity the push to “civilize” the Cherokee was only heightened.
“In relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation” (pg 127)
This quote from Andrew Jackson’s State of the Union Address sums up what life was like for the Cherokee and other tribes during their removal. They were being stripped of their culture and identity and being forced into a civilization where they could be easily controlled and manipulated. This quote shows that Jackson was at the forefront of the push for a “white America.” This relates to the ideas we talked about in class this week on what it means to not only be a nation but what is meant by citizenship. This event changed early American identity and later led to the creation of reservation systems that are still in place today across America.
"The government set aside a land in the region west of Arkansas, later called Indian Territory, where the Indians could rebuild their societies free from demands of encroaching settlers and expansionist states"(17-18)
ReplyDeleteHere Green is describing the specific piece of land that was sectioned off for Indians. Since most of the states were rapidly expanding west, and going into much of the Indian territory, this made a designated area for the Indians to live and rebuild themselves.
"To most Americans, "civilization" was not an abstract concept"(11).
The Americans believed that if the Indians were going to live with them, then they should act as Americans do. This meant dressing, thinking and acting like Americans. Although this is easier said than done, it was encouraged for the Indians to for go this process.
"This new pattern of racism thought rejected the idea that Indians could ever be fully 'civilized' and insisted that one cannot change through education characteristics determined by race. Therefore, the reasoning continued, there could be no place in America society for Native people and, furthermore, it made no sense to pursue an Indian policy that aimed to achieve an impossible goal." (15)
ReplyDeleteAmericans used the social construct of race to justify expansion and treating these people as inferior, just as with the slaves. It seemed the only possible answer in a Christian society.
"The missionaries taught boys to farm and girls to keep house, and they tried to teach all Cherokee children that 'civilization' was preferable to traditional Cherokee culture." (46)
In order to make expansion easier for the white settler, they focused on the children and indoctrinated them at an early age to accept the gender constructs and "civilization", which included Christianity and other European ideals, like imperialism.
"The Cherokee ladies now being present at the meeting of the chiefs and warriors in council have thought it their duty as mothers to address their beloved chiefs and warriors assembled" 131
ReplyDeleteContrary to European culture women played a big role in Native American tribes, not just as mothers and caregivers but as high priestesses, chiefs, and sometime warriors. They were an integral part of every day life and held status in the community as someone who demanded and deserved respect
"John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokees from 1828 until his death in 1866, John Ross steadily opposed removal. In the summer of 1838, with his people dying in stockades, Ross finally gave in to the united states government. He persuaded the United State to permit the Cherokees to remove themselves, and with the aid of his brother he arranged and supervised removal" 155
John Ross stood up for what he knew was wrong , not only that but he was someone on the other side of the fence that had power and disagreed with the injustice that was happening. He knew he was in a position to do something, and he did what he thought was right and tried to chose the lesser of two evil deeds, by saying that the Cherokee people would willing leave their homeland instead of having to be forcefully removed.
“Citizens of the Nation...shall have no right nor power to dispose of their improvements in any manner whatever to the United States, individual states, nor individual citizens thereof; and that whenever any such citizens shall remove with their effects out of the limits of this Nation, and become citizens of any other government, all their rights and privileges as citizens of this Nation shall cease....” (Green, 61)
ReplyDeleteThis quote from the Cherokee Constitution underlines Cherokee identity. As members of the Cherokee nation, Native Americans felt a sense of pride in their identity, so much so that those who became citizens of the United States would be shunned. Another interesting aspect of the Constitution is the illegality of selling of land or “improvements” to Americans. Although the prologue to their constitution reads quite similarly to the U.S. Constitution, the differences between Cherokee law and U.S. law are obvious. It’s interesting how the Cherokee nation claims an American identity, yet shies away from their colonial ties as well.
“Your mothers, your sisters, ask and beg you not to part with any more of our land. We say ours. You are our descendants; take pity on our request.” (Green, 132)
A petition of the Cherokee women addressed to the men leaders, I find this quote ironic and contradicting. Women, once venerated in the matriarchal Cherokee society took the back seat when the Cherokee nation attempted to assimilate into colonial culture. Although the Cherokee tried to maintain their sovereignty from the United States, due to Christian missionaries their culture has become a reflection of their worst fears. In trying to escape Georgian laws and the selling of their “improvements” the Cherokee nation had to emulate their colonial oppressors, converting to the Christian church, enrolling in schools and taking up the occupation of farming.
“The greatest challenge to the Cherokee world and belief system came with the arrival of Europeans.” (Pg 5)
ReplyDeleteThe Cherokee’s way of life was challenged when the Europeans brought things such as disease into their world. The Cherokee were not ready for such diseases such as smallpox and measles therefore many of them died. The increase in deaths among the community seriously affected the Cherokee.
“Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged in this Nation.” Pg 70
The Cherokees basically wanted to say that there were to be no taking of property without consent and people would have the right to a trial by jury. Also, they encouraged the right to religion and education. The constitution of the Cherokee Nation is a lot like the U.S constitution because they both give personal rights as well as government rights to the people.
Danielle Quinones
ReplyDelete"A race not admitted to be equal to the rest of the community; not governed as completely dependent; treated somewhat like human beings, but not admitted to be freemen; not yet entitled and probably will never be entitiled to equal civil and political rights. "(pg.15)
This quote shows how demeened the Cherokee Indians were and how class and "civilized" people were ideal in the United States. Like the pictures we saw in class sophistication became ideal.
"Cherokee nation included the N. West corner of territory claimed by Georgia and blocked the access to the Tennessee River which emptied onto the the Ohio and Mississippi River. "(pg.64)
This quote is showing the land the Cherokee had and how Georgia saw it as a place they could really prosper. It was another way for them to get closer to the American dream. Wealth, land were the things their mind was on.
"He was at Washington city, on the business of his nation. When he returned...saw a servent, believed to be his own; dismounted, ordered his horse taken; went in, and to his utter astonishment, found himself a stranger in his own home...his family have been driven out to seek a new home" (Pg 89)
ReplyDeleteThis story reminds the reader that communication in 1833 is still very poor and state governments did what ever they saw was best for the state. The man in this story was a Cherokee Indian. Even though he had a huge house and a family, he did one bad thing, by hiring a white man to oversee his stuff. This was against the law and without any warning he was kicked out of his house. The Cherokee were being removed from their houses because they did not fit in with the new society surrounding them. People still saw them as uncivil.
"Those Indian tribes and nations, which have remained under their own form of government, upon their own soil, and have never submitted themselves to the government of the whites, have perfect right to retain original form of government, or to alter it, according to their views of convenience and propriety" (Pg 106)
The United States after the revolutionary war constaintly made treaties with the Indians and knew that the only way to resolve all problems was to give them their own space. This process was made through trail and error. Two of the major contributions to make Indians more civiled and look like "citizens" was church and schooling.
"The signing of the treaty of 1835... did not end the opposition to removal" (Pg 153).
ReplyDeleteIn this quote, the authors are showing that even though the Cherokee and the US signed a treaty, which should have ended the violence between them, it did not. The treaty was more of a PR stunt than an actual sincere agreement.
"The missionaries taught boys to farm and girls to keep house, and they tried to teach all Cherokee children that 'civilization' was preferable to traditional Cherokee culture" (Pg 46).
Here the authors show us how the whites believed they were superior to the Cherokee. They attempted to "convert" the natives into "civilized" people. The whites believed that anything other than their own culture was uncivilized and needed to be changed. This passage sums up the European thought toward the natives.
"In the first Indian Trade and Intercourse Act, passed in 1790, Congress approved this idea by requiring that all purchases of land from Indians must be arranged through treaties negotiated by tribal leaders and federal commissioners appointed by the president." (10)
ReplyDelete-I'm always interested in hearing about subjects that go against popular belief and I think this is one of them. Throughout elementary, middle, and even high school I was taught that the colonists pushed the Indians further and further west without any thought to what that might mean for the native peoples. Although the majority of this may be true, I'm glad that attempts were made to protect Native American rights however short lived the agreements may have been.
"Along with many people of their generation, Knox and Washington believed that the obviously "uncivilized" characteristics of Indian life existed because Native people knew no better." (11)
-From a social and psychological stand point I'd like to know when this belief died and changed into that of a need to dominate over the supposedly weaker and more savage beings. I think I'd be interesting to imagine how this country's future would have developed had a more peaceful and equal interaction with the Native people had been established. There was once a point in time where people had the morals to treat each other decently; when did that time end and what prompted its extinction for the colonists? The author is clearly trying to make a point for the kindheartedness of early Americans.
“Ultimately the Cherokees turned to the United States Supreme Court to protect their rights. In 1832, when the court ruled in favor of Cherokee sovereignty in Worcester v. Georgia, the state refused to respond to the courts decision"
ReplyDeleteThis is important because it goes against the way the united states government is set up. For the most part when it comes to legal matters if it is not addressed by the federal goverment it is up to the state to decide. but in this situation the federal government made there decision in favor of the Cherokee but the people of georgia did not want to accept this and when against the court ruling.
"Along with many people of their generation, Knox and Washington believed that the obviously "uncivilized" characteristics of Indian life existed because Native people knew no better."
This is important because it shows the clear seperation of people by race. the indians were seen aas always being naturally uncivilized because they were indians, and not for any other reason.
"Giving the land away by lottery removed it as a financial temptation to corrupt another legislature."
ReplyDeleteAll this land that was received by the means of the Georgia policy could have been used to bribe official in the legislative government. Land was as good as money back then when most people in the government had slaves and land like this would mean big money for them.
"With the state laws extending jurisdiction into The Cherokee Nation had as their general purpose to harass the Indians to the treaty table and out of the state."
The Unied States Government made it so that everything on U.S. soil would be in control of the U.S. Government. This actively made it so that The Cherokee had no control over their own affairs.
"Not all Cherokees were happy with the decision to draft a constitution. Cherokee government had become less inclusive, and Cherokee leaders increasingly came from an elite group of wealthy men who promoted acculturation, both in the laws they passed and the way they lived."
ReplyDelete-This excerpt portrays how the proposed Constitution was primiarliy lead by Cherokee members who came from prehaps more prestigious backgrounds. The idea of a COnstitution would sound appealing but the process of forming one and allowing it to be passed was a daunting task.
"Jackson had a reputation, won during the Creek War of 1813-14, as an Indian fighter, but this was not a blood and gory pronouncement."
-This excerpt portrays why Jackson may have been elected President in the first place. Obviously, he has dealt with Native Americans during the war and the people saw him as someone who could take charge of the situation when it came to the Cherokee Removal.