What Happened to the Cherokee After the Trail of Tears?

After the devastating Trail of Tears, which forcibly relocated the Cherokee Nation to what was then known as Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), the survivors embarked on a remarkable journey of rebuilding and resilience. Despite immense losses and hardship, they swiftly re-established their government, economy, and societal structures.

Rebuilding the Cherokee Nation in Indian Territory

The years immediately following the forced removal were fraught with challenges, including continued deaths from disease and starvation, and deep internal divisions stemming from the "so-called" Treaty of New Echota that had precipitated the removal. However, the Cherokee demonstrated extraordinary resolve in constructing a new national life in their assigned territory.

Key Aspects of Reconstruction:

• Government Re-establishment:

  • Despite internal strife between the Treaty Party and the majority led by Chief John Ross, a new Cherokee Nation constitution was adopted in 1839.
  • Tahlequah was established as the new capital, and the government quickly resumed its functions, including a bicameral legislature, executive branch, and judicial system.
  • The Nation's sovereignty was asserted through its governance structures, managing its affairs largely independently from direct U.S. federal oversight for several decades.

• Educational Advancements:

  • Education was a high priority. The Cherokee Nation rapidly rebuilt its school system, which had been advanced for its time prior to removal.
  • By the 1850s, the Nation established two advanced institutions: the Cherokee National Male Seminary and the Cherokee National Female Seminary. These were among the first higher education institutions west of the Mississippi River and provided an exceptional education to Cherokee youth.
  • Public schools were also established throughout the Nation, funded by the Cherokee government.

• Economic Revival:

  • The Cherokee re-established their agricultural practices, focusing on farming, ranching, and cultivating new crops suited to the Oklahoma landscape.
  • They developed a thriving economy with stores, mills, and blacksmith shops.
  • The Cherokee Advocate, the Nation's official newspaper, began publication in 1844, printed in both English and Cherokee, further fostering communication and commerce.

• Cultural Preservation:

  • Despite the trauma, the Cherokee worked diligently to preserve their rich cultural heritage, including their language (written in the syllabary developed by Sequoyah), traditions, and spiritual practices.
  • Community life, social customs, and ceremonies continued to play a vital role in binding the Nation together.

Challenges Faced and Overcome:

The period of rebuilding was not without significant obstacles. Internal factionalism, though gradually diminishing, occasionally erupted into violence. Furthermore, the Cherokee Nation found itself caught in the broader conflicts of the United States.

• The American Civil War (1861-1865): The Nation was tragically divided, with some aligning with the Confederacy and others with the Union. This conflict devastated the progress made, leading to further loss of life and property.
• Post-Civil War Treaties: Following the war, the U.S. government imposed new treaties that further diminished Cherokee sovereignty and land, forcing them to accept former slaves into the Nation and cede more territory.
• Allotment and Statehood: Towards the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, the U.S. government moved to dismantle tribal governments and communal land ownership through the Dawes Act and the Curtis Act, paving the way for Oklahoma statehood in 1907. This further eroded the Cherokee Nation's self-governance.

Despite these continuous challenges, the Cherokee Nation persevered, adapting and continuing their fight for self-determination and the protection of their cultural identity, which continues to this day.

Summary of Cherokee Rebuilding Efforts