Question

In 1832, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Worcester v. Georgia that the state of Georgia had no right to force the Cherokee from their native lands. Why did this ruling have little positive effect?
A.
Georgia had no interest in Cherokee lands.
B.
President Jackson did not enforce the ruling.
C.
The Trail of Tears had already occurred.
D.
The Cherokee nation chose to move to Canada.

Answer 1

B. President Jackson did not enforce the ruling.

The Supreme Court has no police power to carry out its decisions; it depended on the executive branch to enforce Worcester v. Georgia. President Andrew Jackson refused to act to uphold the decision, and state and federal officials proceeded with removal policies that led to the Trail of Tears.