#7 ESSAY QUESTION Students must answer all four parts to receive full credit. 1. Explain Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia, what was the case about? 2. What was the outcome of their decision? 3. How did Jackson respond to the decision? 4. What was the effect on the Native Americans?

Answer 1

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) is a significant Supreme Court case involving the relationship between the federal government, state governments, and Native American tribes. Here’s a breakdown of the case and its implications across the four parts requested:

1. Explanation of the Case: The case arose when Samuel Worcester, a missionary, was convicted by the state of Georgia for residing on Cherokee land without a state permit. The state had enacted laws that restricted non-Native Americans from living on tribal lands without a license, effectively undermining the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation. Worcester challenged his conviction, arguing that it was unconstitutional and that only the federal government had the authority to regulate relations with Native American tribes, not the states. The case was largely centered around the concept of tribal sovereignty and the legal status of Native American nations as distinct, autonomous entities.

2. Outcome of the Decision: The Supreme Court, under Chief Justice John Marshall, ruled in favor of Worcester, stating that Georgia's laws had no authority within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation. The Court recognized the Cherokee Nation as a distinct community, and it reinforced the idea that the federal government was responsible for relations with Native American tribes. The decision underscored the notion that individual states could not impose their laws on tribal lands, thus recognizing the sovereignty of Native American tribes.

3. Jackson's Response to the Decision: President Andrew Jackson's response to the Supreme Court's decision was indicative of his administration's attitude towards Native American policy. It is commonly attributed to Jackson that he said, “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” This statement, whether apocryphal or not, highlights Jackson's defiance of the Supreme Court's ruling. He was a proponent of Indian removal policies, and his administration did not take the necessary actions to ensure the enforcement of the Court's decision, effectively allowing Georgia to continue its policies of removal against the Cherokee.

4. Effect on Native Americans: The consequences for Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee, were devastating. Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the state of Georgia continued its efforts to remove the Cherokee from their ancestral lands. This led to the infamous Trail of Tears (1838-1839), during which thousands of Cherokee were forcibly relocated to designated "Indian Territory" in present-day Oklahoma. The journey was marked by suffering, disease, and high mortality rates. Ultimately, the decision in Worcester v. Georgia was rendered ineffective by the lack of federal enforcement and the prevailing attitudes of the Jackson administration, resulting in significant loss of land and life for the Cherokee and other Native tribes during this period.

In summary, Worcester v. Georgia was a pivotal case asserting Native American sovereignty, but its enforcement was undermined by President Jackson, leading to tragic outcomes for Indigenous peoples during the westward expansion of the United States.