Worcester v. Georgia was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1832 that involved the issue of Native American sovereignty in the United States. The case arose when the state of Georgia passed a law that prohibited non-Native Americans from living on Native American lands without a license. Samuel Worcester, a missionary, and others were convicted for violating this law, prompting them to take their case to the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Worcester, declaring that the Georgia law was unconstitutional and that the Cherokee Nation, as a distinct political community, possessed certain inherent rights and sovereignty. The Court emphasized that Native American tribes were "domestic dependent nations" and held the right to govern their own territory and people. This decision affirmed the validity of Native American tribal laws and recognized their existence as distinct political entities. However, Georgia, led by Governor George Gilmer, refused to comply with the ruling and forcibly removed the Cherokee people from their lands in the infamous event known as the Trail of Tears.
Worcester v. Georgia
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