Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)

Quick Facts: Who was Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)?

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Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)

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Autonomous tribal government of the Cherokee people, existing from 1794 to 1907.

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Origins & Early Life

The Cherokee Nation (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ, romanized: Tsalagi Ayeli) was an autonomous tribal government of the Cherokee people that existed from 1794 to 1907. Often referred to as "The Nation" by its inhabitants, the government was centered first at New Echota in present-day Georgia and, after removal to Indian Territory, at Tahlequah. In 1827 the Nation adopted a written constitution with legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and in 1832 the United States Supreme Court affirmed in Worcester v. Georgia that the Cherokee Nation was a "distinct political community" in which state laws had no force. The Nation encompassed the Cherokee of the southeastern United States; the "Old Settlers" who had relocated voluntarily to Indian Territory beginning around 1820; those forcibly removed along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s; and incorporated peoples including the Natchez, Lenape, and Shawnee. After the American Civil War, in which most Cherokee leaders allied with the Confederacy, a new treaty required the Nation to emancipate its slaves and grant citizenship to Cherokee Freedmen.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Curtis Act of 1898 extended allotment to the Five Civilized Tribes, and the Five Civilized Tribes Act of April 26, 1906, curtailed the Cherokee tribal government in preparation for Oklahoma statehood on November 16, 1907. The Cherokee people reorganized during the 20th century as the Cherokee Nation, which holds federal recognition as a sovereign tribal government. The Cherokee called themselves the Aniyunwiya. In their language, this meant "leading" or "principal" people. Before 1794, the Cherokee had no standing national government.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Its people were highly decentralized and lived in bands and clans according to a matrilineal kinship system. The people lived in towns located in scattered autonomous tribal areas related by kinship throughout the southern Appalachia region. Various leaders were periodically appointed (by mutual consent of the towns) to represent the towns or bands to French, British and, later, United States authorities as was needed. The Cherokee knew this leader as "First Beloved Man" —or Uku. The English had translated this as "chief".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1794: 1794 Milestone — The Cherokee Nation (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ, romanized: Tsalagi Ayeli) was an autonomous tribal government of the Cherokee people that existed from 1794 to 1907.
2. 1820: 1820 Milestone — The Nation encompassed the Cherokee of the southeastern United States; the "Old Settlers" who had relocated voluntarily to Indian Territory beginning around 1820; those forcibly removed along the Trail of Tears in the 1830s; and incorporated peoples including the Natchez, Lenape, and Shawnee.
3. 1827: 1827 Milestone — In 1827 the Nation adopted a written constitution with legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and in 1832 the United States Supreme Court affirmed in Worcester v.
4. 1898: 1898 Milestone — The Curtis Act of 1898 extended allotment to the Five Civilized Tribes, and the Five Civilized Tribes Act of April 26, 1906, curtailed the Cherokee tribal government in preparation for Oklahoma statehood on November 16, 1907.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cherokee Nation (1794–1907)

True or False: “The Cherokee Nation was recognized as a sovereign political entity by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Worcester v. Georgia.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the Supreme Court ruled this in 1832, state governments and the federal government largely refused to enforce the ruling, leading to continued pressure for removal.

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