On Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10 am, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will present a special one-hour, ranger-led, program breaking down the two Supreme Court cases brought upon the state of Georgia by the Cherokee Nation. This program will take place at the John Ross House (200 East Lake Ave., Rossville, Georgia).
In 1828, Georgia started extending its jurisdiction over Cherokee Territory. The Cherokee appealed to the executive branch of the federal government to try and stop Georgia from forcibly taking homes, lands and mines. President Andrew Jackson responded to their pleas with the Indian Removal Act, showing that he supported Georgia’s actions. Therefore, the Cherokee decided to fight their case in the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court. The Cherokee would bring two cases before the court, arguing against the Trail of Tears. These cases are riddled with legal jargon and language used during the period, which makes it difficult to understand……