Cherokee Nation Research Paper

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Leah Carter November 16, 2012 HIST4072 Exploits of a Nation: Cherokee Neutrality to Confederate Allegiance In 1861, the Cherokee Nation was deeply divided over the decision to join the Confederacy or stay with the Union at the onset of the Civil War. This division within the Cherokee Nation existed decades before the civil war began because of the 1830s removal treaty Stand Watie, along with other Cherokee leaders, signed that relocated the Cherokee nation to reservations in Oklahoma. This removal treaty was condemned by the majority of the Cherokee Nation and Chief John Ross, who did not sign the treaty. However, he was eventually forced to accept the stipulations when his petitions to Congress to void the treaty ultimately failed.…show more content…
John Ross as Principal Chief declared neutrality while Stand Watie was more interested in joining the Confederacy to protect the southern slave lifestyles many Cherokee Indians had grown accustomed to. John Ross was eventually forced to abandon his protestation of neutrality primarily out of fear of losing political power to his opposition. Southern leaders and Confederate personnel played significant roles in Ross’ decision as they exploited the factionalism, intertribal conflict between Watie and Ross and fears within the Cherokee Nation to their own advantage in an effort to force an alliance. On May 17th, 1861 John Ross issued a Proclamation of Neutrality speech explaining why he thought the Cherokee Nation should not participate in the war between the north and south. In this proclamation Ross states that…show more content…
Kelman, Ari. "Deadly Currents: John Ross's Decision Of 1861." Chronicles Of Oklahoma 73.1 (1995): 82. [ 2 ]. Kelman. 83. [ 3 ]. Reed, Gerard Alexander. The Ross-Watie Conflict: Factionalism in the Cherokee Nation, 1839-1865. (Ann Arbor, MI: University Microfilms, 1980). 283. Print. [ 4 ]. Ross, John, and Gary E. Moulton. The Papers of Chief John Ross. Vol. 2. (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1985). 469. [ 5 ]. Wardell, Morris L. A Political History of the Cherokee Nation: 1838-1907. (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1938). 129. [ 6 ]. Kelman. 93. [ 7 ]. Ross.
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