CHAPTER 10 NATIVE AMERICAN REMOVAL & THE WAR OF

Conflicts over Native American Lands  Native Americans believed that no one can own land.  The resources of the earth were to be shared among the community.  Whites believed that land was something that one could own.  Land could be bought and sold. 2

The Creeks  The Creeks were organized in a Chiefdom; a grouping of several different tribes under one MICO – Creek Chief.  Another name for the Creek is Muscogee.  Upper Creeks lived in towns and villages in Alabama.  Lower Creeks lived in the Western Alabama and the Southern areas of GA. 3

Alexander McGillvray  He led the Upper Creeks who refused to give up land.  War erupted between the Upper Creeks and the whites.  McGillvray met with President Washington in 1790 and agreed to a cession of land between the Ogeechee and Oconee rivers. 4

Creeks Divided in the War of 1812  Upper Creeks sided with Great Britain.  Red Sticks – Wanted WAR Upper CreeksLower Creeks  Lower Creeks sided with the Americans  White Sticks – Wanted Peace As a result of the War of 1812, no matter what side the Creek were on, all Creek land was taken. 5

War of 1812 – Creek Civil War  Fort Mims, Alabama  1000 Red Sticks overran fort killing 500 people “Fort Mims Massacre”  Horseshoe Bend, Alabama  American General Andrew Jackson, a force of White Sticks & Cherokee killed 700 Red Sticks 6

Fort Jackson, Alabama  Red sticks had lost the Creek Civil War  Jackson called on all Creeks desiring peace to meet with him.  Jackson forced Creeks to give up all land in South GA  The Whites wanted the FERTILE FARM LAND 7

Creek Chief William McIntosh  Son of an Indian Mother and a Scottish Father  He was cousin to the Governor of GA.  Signed a treaty that ceded all Creek land to the U.S.  This was done without the support or knowledge of the Creek people.  Creek Warriors tracked him down and killed him for signing the treaty. 8

The Creek Leave Georgia  The U.S. Government encouraged Indians to move west to Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Those that stayed adapted to white ways by hunting less and farming more. 9

The Cherokee  The Cherokee had watched the Creek have their land taken.  The Cherokee made every attempt to adapt to White Society the best they could hoping that the Whites would let them keep their land. 10

Adaptation to White Society  The Cherokee made a Constitution like the US Constitution.  A written language.  A bilingual newspaper to try and teach their people to read English as well.  They developed towns similar to White towns.  Also Large Scale Farming. 11

Discovery of GOLD in GA  1828 Gold nuggets were found near present day Dahlonega.  This discovery made all changes the Cherokee had made worthless.  Now that Gold was on their land, the State of GA would stop at nothing to obtain that land.  President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act forcing Cherokee off their lands. 12

Cherokee Rights Taken Away  State of Georgia passes a series of laws taking away the rights of the Cherokee.  Cherokee laws were not recognized by Georgia.  Indians were not allowed to be a witness against a white person in court. 13

Worcester V/S Georgia  U.S. Supreme Court Case  Missionaries living on Cherokee land were arrested for refusing to take an oath to uphold laws of Georgia.  Supreme Court Justice, John Marshall decided: “Georgia laws do not apply within the Cherokee Nation – the missionaries should be freed from the GA prison.” 14

Reaction to Worcester Case  Paid no attention to the Supreme Court.  Said that the Cherokee had no rights in Georgia and could not be an independent nation.  Jackson sided with Lumpkin & GA.  Jackson said: “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!” Governor of GA: Wilson Lumpkin U.S. President Andrew Jackson 15

Cherokee Divided Little by little, the Cherokee continued to try and fight for their land. Unfortunately, they were fighting a losing battle.  Some Cherokee want to give up and move West; sell their land now.  Other Cherokee wanted to stay and fight for their rights against the Whites. 16

John Ross Faction  John Ross felt that it was their land; not the Whites!  He resisted any move west and had a good following of Cherokee. 17

Ridge Faction  Major Ridge believed that it was better for their people to go ahead and move west.  “Sell Now or Be Forced Later!” 18

Treaty of New Echota  In 1835 at New Echota the Ridge faction signed a treaty ceding all land and moving west for $5 million.  The majority of the Cherokee including Ross opposed the treaty.  Some Cherokee left for Arkansas. Others stayed and were driven from their land by the whites. 19

Cherokee Removed – Trail of Tears  By the end of 1838, all remaining Cherokee in GA were forced west on the Trail of Tears.  Cherokee were forced to march in the winter with all their belongings for hundreds of miles. 20