The Cherokee

Zack Krug

October 6, 2009

The Re-birth, Revolt, and Removal of the Cherokee

The Cherokee were forced into giving up most of their land in the eighteenth century. Through fraudulent treaties and unjust deals the Cherokee lost close to all of their land during this time. One of the biggest loses coming from "Henderson's Purchase", in Kentucky, 1775. In an effort to stop the complete takeover of all Indian land, the Cherokees go through a transformation in order to survive in a new world. "The great Cherokee renascence of 1794-1833 was the re-birth of that people in the image of the United States, yet with a difference." (McLoughlin, Preface)
The Cherokee renascence was an attempt to conform to a new economic and political society, through education in the legal and moral aspects of the society and its laws. In essence they are trying to fight fire with fire by obtaining the same mental arsenal as the Americans. For years, the Cherokees had watched their land disappear. Through intimidation and coercion the natives were slowly removed from their land by treaty, and physical force. The Cherokees were aware that they were being taken advantage of, but they couldn't do anything about it. Regarding Cherokee renascence, the idea is to be educated in the white mans customs, and study the white mans laws, so that they have the political power to defend themselves from unjust laws, and treaties. This strategy works in a sense as Indians begin to flourish, producing, intelligent, and rational thoughts, which advance the native race. This re-born Indian would change the view of natives, in the eyes of Americans. The idea of the "Whiteman's Indian" dramatically changed by the 19th century, as the Cherokee were no longer seen as a primitive race. Instead they were now seen as a threat.

During the time period of this Renascence, literacy rates soared in Cherokee villages as more schools were built, enrollment increased, and the Cherokee alphabet, 'Talking Leaves", was...