Native Americans

Essay # 104202

Ethnic Studies > Conflict
Ethnic Studies > Historical
Ethnic Studies > North American

Native Americans

Examines that Native American's struggle to retain their culture and lands against the forces of the early white settlers.

820 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2003 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the history of the lack of tolerance for the Indians from the time that Hernando De Soto set foot in Cherokee country to the expulsion of Native Americans to Oklahoma.The author points out that the early white settlers justified their harsh stance by believing that the Indians obstructed the progress of the whites who could use the land much more efficiently and that it was the God-given right of the settlers to obtain this land. The paper reports that, in 1835, the Treaty of New Echota forced Indians at bayonet point and shackled in chains to be transferred to Oklahoma. The paper concludes that thousands of Indians died due to disease, absence of shelter and lack of food on this journey called the "Trail of Tears".

From the Paper:

"The Federal Government received their plea, and in 1832, the Supreme Court reviewed the case of Worcester vs. Georgia. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled on behalf of the Cherokee Indians and stated that the Federal Government was responsible for the Indians rather than the state of Georgia. This ruling appeared to be a triumph for the Native Americans; however, it was short lived. For example, Jackson stated that John Marshall has made his decision and that it was up to him to enforce it."

Sample of Sources Used:

Ehle, John. Trail Of Tears. New York: Doubleday, 1988.
McLoughlin, William G. The Cherokees and Christianity, 1794 - 1870. Athens, Georgia: The University of Georgia Press, 1994.
Parris, John. The Cherokee Story. North Carolina: The Stevens Press, 1950.