History of The Cherokee Removal and The Trail of Tears

The late eighteenth century through the mid-nineteenth century was a period of profound crisis for Native American tribes in the United States. As westward expansion continued unchecked, Native Americans found themselves increasingly marginalized and dispossessed of their ancestral lands. This essay explores the tumultuous journey of Native American tribes during this era, from the resistance efforts of Chief Pontiac to the tragic "Trail of Tears" and the Seminole Wars, highlighting the injustices they endured.

Native American Resistance: Chief Pontiac's Stand

In 1763, Chief Pontiac, leader of the Ottowa tribe, took a courageous stand to defend his people against encroachments by British forces and settlers. The British had sought to reduce Native American tribes to dependency, sparking conflicts along the frontier. Pontiac articulated the Native Americans' grievances, emphasizing the lack of concern for their well-being by the United States. His words resonated, "When I ask him for something for our sick, he refuses, and tells me that he has no need for us." Moreover, the Native Americans faced exorbitant costs for goods compared to what they had paid the French.

Chief Pontiac's response was Pontiac's Rebellion, a concerted effort to drive the British out of their lands. With a force of 60 men and the support of his village, they successfully destroyed nine out of eleven British posts. This rebellion marked a pivotal moment in Native American resistance against colonial powers.

Tecumseh's Appeal and Native American Resilience

Fast forward to August 20, 1810, when Shawnee warrior Tecumseh delivered a significant speech to Governor Harrison. Tecumseh's address was one of the earliest attempts by Native Americans to appeal to the United States for understanding and compassion. He blamed Americans for the execution of village chiefs who had sold Indian land to them. Tecumseh's words carried a poignant plea, "I now wish you to listen to me. If you do not, it will appear as if you wished me to kill all the chiefs that sold you this land."

As tensions escalated, Native Americans grew apprehensive about accepting gifts from the U.S., fearing they would be interpreted as a trade for their land. Their message to Harrison was clear: "If you will not give up the land and do cross the boundary of your present settlement, it will be very hard and produce great troubles among us." Their pleas for justice and understanding fell largely on deaf ears.

The Tragic Trail of Tears and Seminole Wars

In 1830, President Jackson enacted the Indian Removal Act, an attempt to relocate Native American tribes to the West side of the Mississippi River to make way for American settlers. While most tribes reluctantly agreed to relocate, the Cherokee Nation resisted and filed a lawsuit against Georgia. The government's threat to cease protection of the tribes ultimately convinced many to vacate their lands.

In 1838, American troops forcibly removed 18,000 Cherokee from their homeland, leading to the tragic "Trail of Tears." An astounding 4,000 Cherokee perished from starvation and disease during this harrowing journey. This painful episode remains a haunting testament to the suffering endured by Native Americans.

Simultaneously, the United States declared war on the Seminole tribes in Florida, seeking to recapture escaped slaves. The Seminole Wars, which concluded in 1842, resulted in the forced removal of three thousand Seminoles. This costly conflict exacted a toll of twenty million dollars and twenty thousand American casualties.

Conclusion

The Native American experience during the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth centuries was marked by profound injustices, displacement, and resistance. From Chief Pontiac's Rebellion to Tecumseh's appeal and the tragic "Trail of Tears," Native Americans fought valiantly to protect their lands and rights. The Seminole Wars further underscored the hardships they endured.

Ultimately, Native Americans lost their ancestral homelands to American settlers. Their struggle for justice and recognition serves as a poignant chapter in American history, reminding us of the enduring resilience of indigenous peoples in the face of adversity.

References

1. Dixon, D. (2018). Never Come to Peace Again: Pontiac's Uprising and the Fate of the British Empire in North America. University of Oklahoma Press.
2. Dowd, G. E. (1992). Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership. University of North Carolina Press.
3. Ehle, J. (1989). Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation. Anchor.
4. Perdue, T. R. (1993). U.S. Expansion and Indian Dispossession: Southeastern Indians, 1820-1860. University of Oklahoma Press.
5. Remini, R. V. (1999). The Legacy of Andrew Jackson: Essays on Democracy, Indian Removal, and Slavery. Louisiana State University Press.
6. Sturtevant, W. C. (2001). Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast. Smithsonian Institution.
7. Washburn, W. E. (2013). The Assault on Indian Tribalism: The General Allotment Law (Dawes Act) of 1887. University of Oklahoma Press.