Indian Removal Act

The Indian Removal Act, signed by President Andrew Jackson on May 26th 1830 lead to the loss of homeland for many Indians.  While the removal was in theory supposed to be voluntary, in reality many Indian leaders were pressured or forced into moving.

The Trail of Tears

This act was especially hard on Cherokees, who were forced to leave their homelands in Georgia and reestablish themselves in Oklahoma.   Men, women and children were forced to travel a thousand miles away from their homes under harsh conditions without adequate food and water supply.   It is true that some left willingly, but those who did not were forced to leave at the direction of the US army.

The death rates amongst the first groups removed were exceptionally high.   This continued until Chief John Ross made an appeal to General Scott to allow his people to lead the tribes west.   Scott consented and Ross was allowed to organize the tribes into smaller groups which were lead separately and allowed time to gather food.   This reduced the death rate, but the suffering that the Cherokee experienced was still immense. Consequently their journey and the route that they traveled became known as The Trail of Tears.

The Cherokee Rose

Today, a beautiful white flower known as the Cherokee Rose grows along the this sad trail.   This flower is viewed as a symbol of the tears cried by the Cherokee mothers who prayed for their children’s safety.   It is believed that this rose grew wherever the mothers’ tears fell.   The white part of the rose is said to represents the tears that were shed, while the flowers golden center is said to represent the gold that was taken from the Cherokee people’s land.   Finally, the seven leaves that sprout from the flower’s stem are symbolic of the seven diffrent clans that travelled the trail of tears.

Chief John Ross

Chief John Ross is most famous for the role that he played in fighting the removal of his people and his success in reducing their suffering. Although he was only 1/8th Cherokee he is perhaps the most famous Cherokee chief in history.   Ross is not only the first, but the only elected chief of the Cherokee Nation.   He served as chief until his death in 1866.

Chief Elias Boudinot

Another famous Cherokee chief is Elias Boudinot.   Boudinot is most famous for founding and editing the tribe’s first newspaper, the Cherokee Pheonix. Boudinot was born in Oothcaloga (now Calhoun Georgia).   His original name was Gallegina Watie but he took the name Elias Boudinot after the man who paid for his education.   In addition to his work with the newspaper, Boudinot was also a missionary.   He and his friend Samuel A. Worcester are known for having translated the New Testament into Cherokee

Assassination of Elias Boudinot

In 1839 Boudinot was assassinated by those who opposed the removal to Oklahoma removal for the part he had played in signing the treaty of New Echota on December 29, 1835.   The treaty required that the entire Cherokee nation move west. Major Ridge, and John Ridge who also signed the treaty were assassinated also.