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Southern New Hampshire University *
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HIS200
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History
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Feb 20, 2024
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Uploaded by PresidentCaterpillar3483
Jessica O’Connell HIS 200: Applied History Southern New Hampshire University April 3, 2021
Introduction “Almost everyone had to walk as the conveyance they had were inadequate for transporting what few possessions they had and their meager supply of food. Only the old people and little children were allowed to ride. They died by the hundreds and were buried by the roadside. As they were not allowed to remove any of their household goods, they arrived at their destination with nothing with which to start housekeeping” Ella Robinson, a Cherokee living in Oklahoma after the Trail of Tears, accounts (Payne, 1937). This is one of many similar accounts of Native American tribes forced to relocate on what was named the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee had a domestic life throughout generations featuring strong traditions of agriculture and fortifying their land. By no means was the group migrational or nomadic like other tribes were. This resulted in an especially difficult time for the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears as they were ill-equipped for such a journey. However, their resilience endured and new customs were added to their formal habits in an attempt to survive. Cherokee domestic life held strong traditions prior to the forced relocation of the “Trail of Tears” yet they shifted in numerous ways upon settling in Oklahoma due to forced adaption to a migratory lifestyle. The causes for this domestic culture shift within the Cherokee tribe can be narrowed down to circumstances such as having only a fraction of possessions than they were accustomed to in building their houses and planting crops, having to learn an entirely new location, and being
forced to learn how to migrate. According to The Migration by Josephine Pennington, the only possessions Cherokees owned upon arrival in Oklahoma after the Trail of Tears was a saw, an axe, a little bedding, a hoe, and a small amount of corn to plant. This was far less than the Cherokee people were used to having as they had accumulations of tools, food, and seeds at their homes before being relocated. They also had to learn how to handle the new terrain. Although the new land that they settled on, the Ozark Mountains, was similar to the previous landscape with rivers, mountains, and forests, the foreign land offered different conditions. For instance, crops were traditionally planted and grown in the riverbed of the Mississippi according to the National Humanities Center. This tactic proved to be fruitless after the Trail of Tears because the Arkansas River flooded more than the Mississippi would on a regular basis, washing entire crop yields away. Because the tribe was non-migrational prior to the Trail of Tears, Cherokee were forced to learn how to create shelters that can temporarily be built in short notice. This is the most immediate cause, as we later will see it links the other two causes together. In order to survive, many Cherokees immediately began setting into their new territory by digging out caves in the Ozark Mountains according to Pennington. Using their only five possessions, clans found shelter in their caves and dugouts temporarily. As time went on and the people had more opportunity to settle, the Cherokee created and organized new architecture featuring log cabins by using the natural materials found in the area. These structures differed from wattle and daub houses, which were built for generations in their original territory. Farming methods also had to be figured out since it was clear that the old methods were not working. Planted crop yields that were lost to flooding added to the harsh struggle and lessons learned by the Cherokee. This had forced them to change their farming tactics by planting crops higher
above the riverside terraces in a less fertile area. As part of an effort for rebuilding in 1839, Chief John Ross wrote a new constitution for the United Cherokee Nation. This constitution was to outline a structured government, including one principal chief whom was elected, a senate, and a house of representatives. Today, Cherokee experience the consequences of having to As a consequence, the traditional art of building wattle and daub houses was lost. However, the resilience of the tribe turned the non-migrational habits grounded by generations into a rugged lifestyle where adaptation in housing was key. A. Describe the causes of the historical event. In other words, what were the underlying factors that led to the historical event? Were there any immediate causes that precipitated the event? B. Illustrate the course of your historical event. In other words, tell the story or narrative of your event. Who were the important participants? What did they do? Why? How do the perspectives of the key participants differ? C. Describe the immediate and long-term consequences of the historical event for American society. In other words, how did the event impact American society? D. Discuss the historical evidence that supports your conclusions about the impact of the event on American society. Support your response with specific examples from your sources. References Payne, M. (1937, May 10). Life and Experience of a Cherokee Woman. Retrieved March 21, 2021, from https://ualrexhibits.org/tribalwriters/artifacts/Family-Stories-Trail-of-
Tears.html#LifeAndExperience
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, September 29). John Ross. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Ross-chief-of-
Cherokee-Nation
Chavez, W. (2014, August 26). 1839 Cherokee CONSTITUTION born from act of Union. Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/1839-cherokee-
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