Saturday, November 14, 2015

What is "The Chief's Annual Message" written by John Ross in 1831 all about?

The Chief's Annual Message was written to the Cherokee Nation and was a challenge to the relocation of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia.  The Cherokee had recently adopted a constitution with three branches like the United States. John Ross was chosen as the chief of the Cherokee nation.  Ross is speaking for the majority of the Cherokee nation that feels they should have access to their lands and profit from it.  In the letter, Ross explains how the state of Georgia is in violation of the United States Constitution in its actions towards the Cherokee nation.  In general, the state is not permitted to violate treaties that have been established by Congress.  Georgia is not legally permitted to make treaties with the Indian nations either.  The major grievances are the surveying of Cherokee land into districts and sending troops into Cherokee territory.  The letter was not effective as the federal government forcibly removed the Cherokee from the southern states by force in what became known as the Trail of Tears.  

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