A235, History of American Empire

The most economically prosperous Native American nation in the 1820s, the Cherokee nation bore the brunt of aggressive land incursions by white Georgia settlers as well as the brunt of simple-minded racist vengefulness by U.S. President Andrew Jackson.  Most Cherokee leaders responded to escalating threats with a strategy of rational argument and moral appeal, with the aim to build up a constituency of white allies.  That aim proved successful — white allies did step forward — but it was nevertheless insufficient to the task of protecting the Cherokee nation from what would be a notorious “Trail of Tears” — forced deportation to west of the Mississippi River.

1.  On what bases did Cherokee leaders insist upon their territorial sovereignty?  There are many; please indicate and explain at least 5:

2.  What was terribly wrong with being relocated to land west of the Mississippi, according to the Cherokees?

3.  What principles did the Cherokees appeal to, beyond their territorial sovereignty?  What would have to come from their audience, instead of from the Cherokees themselves?  Why so?