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 Cherokee nation chose to move to Canada.
D.
The Trail of Tears had already occurred.

Answer 1

B. President Jackson did not enforce the ruling.

Although the Supreme Court (in Worcester v. Georgia) held that Georgia could not impose its laws on Cherokee territory, the federal government under Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the decision. Without executive enforcement, Georgia and the federal government proceeded with Indian removal, culminating in the Trail of Tears.