Cherokee Treaty 

Native American tribes received harassment and maltreatment by Americans. The Cherokee tribe did not like the treatment and decided to speak up about it by writing to the U.S. government. 

Cherokee Petition Protesting Removal

In “Cherokee Petition Protesting Removal” (1836) the Cherokee leaders were not content with the treatment and lies that the United States government was showing to the tribe. In the petition, the Cherokee leaders included, “and in the presence of Almighty God, is fraudulent, false upon its face, made by unauthorized individuals, without the sanction, and against the wishes of the great body of the Cherokee people.” This expands on the idea that American people are crossing the boundaries set in past treaties. The Cherokee tribe spoke out about the lies and even included that the treaty that they were given was not fair to the tribe. The petition also explains that all of the past treaties that were made between the United States and the tribe were all beneficial to them, “The Cherokees were happy and prosperous under a scrupulous observance of treaty stipulations by the government of the United States.” This may seem that at first, the American government wanted to have peace with the Native American tribes, but as the United States began to expand, they decided that they wanted the land that the tribes inhabited.

As the American government wanted to take over the land that the tribes lived on, they were forcing them out with no home or anything they can survive off of, “forced to return to the savage life, and to seek a new home in the wilds of the far west, and that without their consent.” This shows how greedy and thoughtful the American government was throughout the argument of the treaty. The Cherokee tribe did not like the idea of being kicked off of the land that they were living on for a long time, especially by people who did not care about the tribe’s wellbeing. The American government was trying to take advantage and leave the tribe with nothing, after promising to protect their land and keep the tribe safe. It is important to note that the Cherokee tribe was not threatening or hurting the U.S. or any of their plans, but yet, the government decided to make a treaty to force the tribe out of the land in order for them to take over and leave the tribe without a home.