The Historical Homeland of the Cherokee Before the Trail of Tears

The Cherokee, one of the largest and most historically significant indigenous groups in the southeastern United States, once inhabited a vast territory that extended through several modern-day states. This article delves into the historical lands where the Cherokee resided before their forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears.

Where Did the Cherokee Live?

The Cherokee people claimed a substantial area of the southeastern United States as their ancestral homeland. Originally, they lived in several regions that include parts of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Over time, their territory expanded further into the present-day states of Alabama and Virginia, with pockets of their settlements also in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Specific Locations and Territories

The Cherokee established their base primarily in the valley of the Little Tennessee River. This river, which primarily flows through south-central Tennessee but also includes a section in Alabama, was a significant part of their territory. Many Cherokee people chose to remain in the Little Tennessee Valley until the Trail of Tears forced them to evacuate. Their territory also extended eastward into northern Georgia and western North Carolina.

Cherokee Tribe Structure and Land Divisions

The Cherokee tribe is composed of three distinct groups, each with their own homelands within the southern Appalachian Mountains. The primary regions include parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In modern times, there is a small reservation home to about 16,000 Cherokee people in North Carolina.

Cherokee-White Relations and the Trail of Tears

By the 1830s, the relationship between the Cherokee and European settlers (and later, the states) had become increasingly strained. The Cherokee competed fiercely with the colonists and then the states for valuable resources. This tension culminated in the removal of thousands of Cherokee people from their ancestral lands.

In 1838, the U.S. army forcibly relocated approximately half of the Cherokee population to Oklahoma in what became known as the Trail of Tears. Despite this harrowing experience, the modern-day Cherokee population is quite significant, with over 100,000 people living in and around Oklahoma today.

Surviving and Evolving Communities

While the majority of the Cherokee population was relocated to Oklahoma, there were also smaller groups that remained or migrated to other parts of the country. Some Cherokee communities can be found in Southern California, where they do not count toward the official Cherokee tribe numbers. There are also remnants of Cherokee tribes with only a handful of full-time members, a result of the dissolution of tribalism during and after World War II.

Conclusion

The history of the Cherokee people before the Trail of Tears is a story of resilience, struggle, and adaptation. Despite forced relocation and significant demographic changes, the Cherokee people have maintained a strong cultural identity and continue to thrive in the modern United States.

Keywords: Cherokee, Trail of Tears, southeastern United States