Abstract A discussion regarding how in recent years, mainstream society has "re-discovered" Native Americans after a period of forgetfulness. Needless to say, one of the more prominent of all the Native North American peoples has been the Cherokee - perhaps because few other native tribes (at least to this writer's knowledge) have enjoyed the territorial, geographic reach of the Cherokeenation - a nation with tribes in the Virginias, the Carolinas, and the Southern United States. This paper looks at America's Cherokee tribes and explores the manner in which their approach to warfare since the arrival of the "white man".
Abstract This paper examines the history of the CherokeeNation during the period between the first European contact to the American Civil War. An emphasis is on the role of the Cherokee people as a socially and politically motivated people who were wronged by the U.S. government.
Abstract This paper discusses the transportation by force of the Cherokeenation from their native lands to Oklahoma that was mandated by the U.S. government in 1838. While it was Jackson's successor, Martin Van Buren, who would order the forced march that became known as the "Trail of Tears", the policies that led to the forced removal had begun in 1830 under Jackson with the Indian Removal Act. The writer describes the horrors of the march and its devastating effects on the Cherokees as well as the other Indians who were driven out with them. The writer discusses the historical and political background behind the relocation, and the reasons for Jackson's deep-seated hatred and resentment of the Cherokees. The writer also describes the attempts by the Cherokees to negotiate with the U.S. government prior to the march and other circumstances leading up to the march, and concludes with a brief note on what happened to them after their arrival in Oklahoma.
From the Paper "The Cherokee nation had, at one time, spanned the territories now known as the Carolinas to Florida and West to Mississippi. Over the course of several millennia, the Cherokee had banded together five tribes, each with its place in a relatively democratic political structure, where respect for the rule of law was absolute, and their culture significantly advanced. Education was paramount, they maintained a very solid and reliable economy, and they maintained the belief that they could successfully co-exist with the Americans. This, of course, would prove to be exceptionally naive when it came to Jackson. Where he had failed in his youth, he was certainly able to get back at the Cherokee decades later."
Tags: racist eviction land-hungry obsolescence genocide, Monroe Doctrine, Supreme Court, opposition exposure anti-Indian
Abstract This paper reviews John Ehle's book, "Trail of Tears", which provides a thorough review of the Cherokee people, starting from their first encounter with Europeans. The paper presents the book's argument that the Cherokee efforts to adopt and adapt to the cultural achievements of whites, while advancing their own culture, fundamentally shaped their history.
From the Paper "In Trail of Tears, John Ehle poignantly depicts the unique struggle of the Cherokee to defend against the onslaught of the advancing ?white storm.? As they initially realized the futility of violent resistance, the Cherokee enthusiastically devoted themselves to ensuring the societal advancements that would grant them peaceful and prosperous co-existence with the whites. Thanks to the visionary leadership of individuals such as Major Ridge, the tribe successfully fought off internal division, reactionary traditionalism, and white interference in order to forever disprove the fallacy that Indians were incapable of ?civilization.?"
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that intolerance of native religion is a theme that pervades Native-American studies, as the conditions that many Indian nations suffered were guised with a highly religiously motivated idea of manifest destiny. The writer discusses that the Cherokeenation was no exception, as many members sought to live a life that was chosen for them, rather than made by choice. The writer points out that early in the Cherokee history there were struggles with conversion, indoctrination and intolerance of traditional ways. The modern Cherokee movement has tended to meld Christianity, forced upon them by white society, with the spirit of the old knowledge and religion, which like many other native nations was a core aspect of life. The writer concludes that this movement was so effective that the resurgence of Native-American religion today is a revival attempting to make sure that the traditions do not die and that the oldest of the generations has the opportunity to build and spread the faith and language of the elders.
From the Paper "The Cherokee had a structured egalitarian society and in many ways were very "civilized" from the start with structured towns, rather than nomadic villages that moved with the seasons, a credit given to many other nations and part of the reason they were designated as one of five civilized tribes. The Cherokee were divided into seven clans, as seven was a sacred number to them and they had a war chief and a peace chief, Red Chief and White Chief, with a head medicine man that decided quarrels between the two chiefs who really worked in cooperation to rule the nation. Lineage was patrilinial and matrilineal with the father than the maternal grandmother sharing lineal duties such as naming children and such. The nation also had a subsistence economy where commodity was currency and there was little need for cash, the nation in fact resisted labor employment even into the beginning of the 20th century."
Abstract This paper relates that the biography of Wilma Mankiller is of great importance to the understanding of the cultural identity struggle of Native-Americans. The paper discusses her contributions towards the rebuilding of the Cherokeenation after the Trial of Tears or Cherokee Removal during the years 1838-1839.
From the Paper "Mankiller was born in 1945 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, which is seen as the heart of the Cherokee nation. When she was ten years old she moved with her parents to San Francisco, with one of the government programs for relocation, which made it possible for the Native Americans to move from their traditional lands to urban areas. Later, Wilma met her first husband, Hugo Olaya, but their marriage eventually terminated because she became increasingly devoted to Native American problems, of which he strongly disapproved. Her first major political action was her involvement in the movement initiated by a group of Native Americans who occupied the Alcatraz island in 1969."
Abstract This paper discusses the history of the "trail of tears" in which Cherokees were removed from their native Appalachia and forced to relocate to the harsh plains of Oklahoma. The paper includes a discussion of the treaties broken by the U.S. government.
Abstract Discusses her rise to power in the CherokeeNation of Oklahoma to Principal Chief. Her early impoverished life. Growing interest in tribal politics. Involvement with Naive Americans in San Francisco. How she helped bring self-sufficiency to her people and helped raise the status of women. Her contribution to the feminist movement in general.
From the Paper "The history of the women's rights movement is littered with trailblazers who led the way before women believed they would achieve equal rights with men in society. From the suffragettes of the early twentieth century to the "girlpower" divas of the new millennium, women have struggled to carve out a voice and message of their own. Significant strides have been made towards gender-equality in the past century, with the right to vote and the right to have an abortion signifying important milestones in the women's movement. And though the news is mostly good, there nevertheless remains a wide gulf in the way women and men are treated in our society. This fact is compounded by the deterioration of the feminist movement from its peak in the nineteen-sixties. As young women look to the new millennium, it is important that they identify leaders to emula..."
Abstract This paper discusses German Americans and Cherokee in the 18th century. It is a history paper that compares and contrasts various aspects of these two groups' lives including politics, social norms, economics and personal, professional and interpersonal relationships.
Tags: German Americans & Cherokee in the 1700s. American history, comparison and contrast, Political, Social, economic, Personal, Professional and Interpersonal
A research study looking at the impact nationalism has had on Europe and, in particular, the way in which nationalism as an ideological concept is perceived and understood.
Abstract This paper explores the assumption that the views and theories about nationalism are to a great extent determined by the dominant theories, philosophies and perceptions of the age. In this sense it is a contention of this paper that modern nationalism needs to be understood within the context of the broader issues of modern and postmodern speculative thought. This paper also attempts to ascertain the way that theorists and thinkers over the years have understood and influenced the concept and ideology of nationalism. The study therefore provides an overview of the salient most cogent theories and perspectives on the changing views of nationalism. Additionally, the paper attempts to refer these theories and counter theories to actual contemporary situations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is Nationalism?
Nationalism and Ideology
Cultural Nationalism Romanticism and Nationalism Nationalism as a Social Construction
Hobsbawm and Geller
Summations and Reflections
From the Paper "It is something of a truism to say that ethnic and nationalist movements have become a dominant force in the world in the past century. It is also relatively easy to forecast that the future of Europe will be shaped to a great extent by nationalistic imperatives and philosophies. One only has to look at the recent history of Eastern Europe and the Balkans for general and tentative conformation of these assumptions. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fragmentation of the region have allowed nationalisms and ethnic groups to emerge in many areas. And, according to modern theorists of nationalism, we are also seeing the invention of new "nationalisms" that are being constructed by political and ideological forces - sometimes with devastating consequences."
Abstract The writer of this paper contends that the reason the internet is such a big part of globalization is due to the fact that for the first time in history, any individual in any part of the world can communicate in a completely uncensored way over the entire planet. This paper focuses on the combination of nationalism and isolationism within the realm of the internet. This paper examines the advantages of nationalism that began to flourish, thanks in large part to internet technology, as the first world nations and the rest of the industrialized world separated itself from the less capable or developed nations. This paper analyzes the numerous aspects of the internet which are far different from other mediums as it provides a way to present information in a variety of approaches, each uniquely different and targeted to a specific audience. The paper also discusses the downside to the internet and advanced technology, in that it has become a source of isolationism in many third world countries. The writer claims that internet access on a global scale has a definite negative stigma which has been termed the 'digital divide.' This paper examines how the movement of globalization and strong nationalism has isolated third world nations. The writer contends that while nationalism flourishes, attention must be given to the those third world countries that have become more and more isolated due to their inability to bring technology to their citizens.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Internet
Nationalism & Globalization
Isolationism
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "The internet is basically a way for organizations, parties and movements to present them selves in the same way as we would look at a magazine, newspaper, radio shows or television presentations. The unique aspects of the Internet that is different from these other mediums because it provides a way to present information in a plethora of ways, each way uniquely different for however the target audiences may be. In the same respect, the Internet can personalize 'homepages,' or web sites to also present a very individual message for different audiences. The Internet, therefore, is a much more public and at the same time personal provider of information. This also entails that a majority of the Internet is completely dominated by individual users such as newsgroups, chats, BBS while other parts are completely commercial business related."
Abstract This paper attempts to provide a more critical examination of what is meant by nationalism by looking to two works of fiction ? the 1919 Mr Standfast by John Bucan and the 1933 mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Both of these novels develops ideas of nationalism that are rooted in the historical concerns of these moments in time. Both in many ways now seem to us rather quaintly nostalgic. However, it is important to understand how very much the ideas ? and ideals ? of nationalism that are expressed in these two books are still with us today.
From the paper:
"We are currently surrounded with reminders of how the fabric of nationalism is woven: This has, of course, been especially true since the attacks on American on the 11th of September. It has become increasingly difficult to go anywhere now without seeing flags or other forms of patriotism and nationalism. And yet, while the heart may indeed swell at such demonstrations, the current uprising of nationalist sentiment provides a moment not only for us to join together in mutually felt pride in our nation but also to examine precisely what it is that nationalism means."
Abstract This paper explains that Umut Ozkirimli stated in ?Theories of Nationalism? that nationalism has been around for more than two hundred years, but serious scholarly examinations of the origins and spread of nationalism did not begin to pick up momentum until after WWII. The author points out that this book is best when arguing Ozkirimli's perspective and bringing others? views to light. The paper relates that Anthony Smith's book seeks to separate ?nationalism? from ?national identity?.
From the Paper "Smith points out that Gellner (whose ideas and work appear on 44 pages of Ozkirimli's book, but in only 3 pages of Smith's book), the ?modernist,? says nationalism (page 71) ?is not the awakening of nations to self-consciousness; it invents nations where they do not exist,? albeit it does need some "pre-existing differentiating marks to work on"? That statement is disputable, given the nationalism that has run its course in the 20th Century. Did Hitler awaken Germany to self-consciousness in the late 1930s, adroitly exploiting the German common man's resentment for the outcome of WWI? The answer has to be yes."
Abstract This paper argues that ,while environmental treaties are justified in their interference with issues traditionally related to state sovereignty, such interference allows nations to challenge environmental treaties. It explains that this was very clear in the case of the Convention on Climate Change when several nations, such as the United States and China, refused to abide by the treaty, and even more, did not follow its terms even after agreeing to them. The writer points out that one of the most noticeable factors here is that it is mainly the industrialized or developed nations that have the power and strength to openly defy these treaties, while the Third World countries cannot for the simply reason that financial aid is, to some degree, partly dependant upon their national environmental laws. In this sense, an imbalance develops whereby the developed world has the choice to either reject or accept those treaties, and the Third World largely does not. From an analysis of this imbalance, and after proving it with reference to a number of global environmental treaties, this paper argues that the only solution lies in the creation of an international body for global environmental governance in which nations, regardless of their economic and political status, are equally represented. The aim of such a body would be to ensure respect for environmental treaties, eliminate imbalance,s and respond to one basic truth: the environment is a shared space, and one nation's abuse of it affects the lives of all people across the world. Thus, state sovereignty is an irrelevant issue here, as no nation has sovereignty over the environment.
From the Paper "The concept of national sovereignty has, since the emergence of nation-states, been regarded as sacred. At least, citizens and national governments have regarded their nation's sovereignty as sacred. That attitude was eventually transferred into law. Thereby, international law and treaties currently acknowledge and protect the principle of national sovereignty, conceding to a nation's rights to self determination and to resistance of external interventions in internal or national policies and decision making processes. However, while sovereignty is a popularly acknowledged and jealously protected political principle, sovereignty is not absolute and has its limitations. These limitations are defined by the interests of other nations and the collective welfare of all people and countries. Hence, no nation is absolutely sovereign and no government has the authority to act as it wishes within its national borders, arguing that it is protected by the principle of sovereignty. The simple fact of the matter is that in various international issues, most especially those relating to environmental policies, no country should have absolute sovereignty since, as emphasized by Robert Goodland and Herman Daly, the environment is not national but international or "universal" (1002-1003). Consequently, as relates to the environment, the concept of national sovereignty is a contentious issue."
Abstract Even though these concepts seem very similar, this paper uses contemporary examples to show the difference between a nation and a nation-state. It discusses the history of Zionism, the "Nation of Islam" quest by African-Americans, and the ongoing wars in the Balkans. It also looks at different factors taken into account when defining these concepts - religion, history and culture.
From the Paper "Defining the difference between a nation and a nation-state can seem more like a bit of philosophical hair-splitting than a useful distinction for a political scientist to make in analyzing the present global situation. However, to better understand the assumptions that underline the terms of "nation" and "nation state" it is useful to unpack such concepts before passing judgement on what is a nation or a nation state in the real world of lived political existence."
Tags:nationalism, culture, religion, history, society, zionism, balkan
