Refusal and Continued Resistance
The Cherokee people also resisted U.S. imperialism by continually refusing to submit without a fight. They continued to persevere and find ways to resist until they finally achieved federal recognition.
Challenge and Persevere
The Treaty of New Echota
Through advocacy, legal action and other acts of resistance the Cherokee people refused to accept the fraudulent Treaty of New Echota.
Removal Efforts
In the face of forced removal under the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokee people refused to be extinguished. Thier newly developed written language helped them preserve their culture, history, and traditions.
Federal Recognition
The U.S. government repeatedly violated the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation. However, the Cherokee people continued to resist and assert their independence and press for federal recognition.
A Resilient Nation
After the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, their was extreme anger at the U.S. government for violating their sovereignty and committing mass murder, if not genocide, of their people. However, they did not stop resisting and fighting for recognition of their independence.
The Legacy
The Cherokee Nation's refusal to concede to U.S. imperialism and the continued perseverance of its people, enabled their rich history and traditions to be sustained and safeguarded. The strength of the Cherokee people to resist and overcome the actions of the U.S. government is a powerful legacy.