The Cherokee Nation's response to the U.S. government's civilization policy was complex and multifaceted. The civilization policy, initiated in the early 19th century, aimed at assimilating Native American tribes into European-American culture through reformation of their lifestyles, including adopting agriculture, Christianity, and European-style governance.
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Adaptation and Adoption: The Cherokee were proactive in their response. They adopted elements of European-American culture, including the establishment of an alphabet created by Sequoyah, the development of a written language, and the publication of a newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix. They also engaged in agriculture, embraced Christianity, and developed a governmental structure similar to that of the U.S. with a constitution adopted in 1827.
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Legal Challenges: The Cherokee sought to resist encroachment on their lands through legal means. They took their cases to the U.S. Supreme Court in landmark rulings such as Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) and Worcester v. Georgia (1832). Although these cases upheld their sovereignty, the federal government largely ignored the rulings, leading to further conflict.
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Resistance to Removal: As pressures for removal increased, particularly with the Indian Removal Act of 1830, many Cherokees were determined to remain on their ancestral lands. The response included peaceful resistance, legal action, and, eventually, organized opposition to forcibly being removed from their territory.
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Trail of Tears: Ultimately, despite their efforts, many Cherokee were forcibly removed during the Trail of Tears (1838-1839), suffering immense hardship and loss of life during the journey to designated Indian Territory.
In summary, the Cherokee response to the civilization policy included adaptation and integration efforts, legal resistance, active participation in diplomacy, and ultimately, tragic confrontation with federal forces that led to their removal from their homelands.
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