Question

Read the text from the Supreme Court's decision in Worcester v. Georgia and answer the question.

The Indian nations had always been considered as distinct, independent political communities retaining their original natural rights as undisputed possessors of the soil, from time immemorial.

What was the court's opinion in the case and how did it affect the Cherokee?

A.

The court held that American Indians were US citizens and entitled to constitutional protections. The court's ruling allowed the Cherokee to retain possession of their homeland.

B.

The court held that because American Indians were not US citizens, the government did not have to respect their claims to land. The government then forced the Cherokee to leave their homeland.

C.

The court held that American Indian tribes were sovereign and therefore not subject to US laws. Despite a ruling in the Cherokee's favor, the government forced them to leave their homeland.

D
.

The court held that American Indian tribes were not sovereign and could not enter into treaties. Because prior treaties with the Cherokee were invalid, the Cherokee retained possession of their homeland.

Answer 1

C.

The Court (Marshall) ruled that Indian tribes are distinct, sovereign political communities and that Georgia’s laws had no force on Cherokee territory — the decision protected the Cherokee in principle. However, President Jackson and Georgia ignored the ruling, and the federal government failed to enforce it; the Cherokee were nevertheless removed (the Trail of Tears).