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1791
This treaty further designates boundaries and began the progressive erosion of Cherokee land rights on non-hunting grounds. This treaty is remarkable for its aggressive language, the Cherokees “agreed” to “relinquish and cede” all lands residing outside the established demarcation line and permitted citizens of the United States access to a road running through Cherokee lands, as well as navigation of the Tennessee River. -
Period: to
time
The Treaty of New Echota was made by a small contingent of Cherokees led by Major Ridge against the wishes of the majority of the tribe and its leader, Chief John Ross. They give up their lands in Georgia for territory in present-day Oklahoma. -
1836
Texas wins independence from Mexico. Texans assert that Indians have no right to possession of Texan land. -
1838
Trail of Tears begins
U.S. president Martin Van Buren orders the U.S. Army into the Cherokee Nation. The army rounded up as many Cherokees as they could into temporary stockades and subsequently marched the captives, led by John Ross, to the Indian Territory. Under the guns of federal troops and Georgia state militia, the Cherokee tribe made their trek to the dry plains across the Mississippi - over 800 miles to the Oklahoma Territory. Scholars estimate that 4,000-5,000 Cherokees, including Ross -
start
859 Potawatomi Indians were forced from their homeland near Plymouth, Indiana and made to march 660 miles to present-day Osawatomie, Kansas -
Period: to
travel
the tribe lost a lot of people and took them two months to get to where they are supposed to be. -
1839
Cherokee Act of Union
In response to their unfavorable treaties with the United states, along with the forced removal form their land, the Cherokee nations of the East and West united. -
1851
Indian Appropriations Act consolidates western tribes on agricultural reservations to enable westward migration of non-Indians and to facilitate the transcontinental railroad.