1. Explain Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia, what was the case about? 2. What was the outcome of their decision? 3. How did Jackson respond to the decision? 4. What was the effect on the Native Americans
1. Worcester v. Georgia was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1832. The case involved the Cherokee Nation's sovereignty and their legal rights to their ancestral lands in Georgia. The state of Georgia had passed laws that sought to assert jurisdiction over Cherokee territory and extend state law and governance over them, in violation of previous treaties.
2. The outcome of the Supreme Court's decision in Worcester v. Georgia was a significant victory for the Cherokee Nation. Chief Justice John Marshall, writing for the majority, declared that the state of Georgia had no authority to enforce laws within Cherokee territory. He affirmed that the Cherokee Nation possessed a right to self-governance and their lands were protected by federal treaties.
3. President Andrew Jackson, despite being obligated to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling, famously responded by ignoring it. He is reported to have said, "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it." Jackson refused to utilize federal power to protect the rights of the Cherokee Nation, leading to the infamous forced removal known as the Trail of Tears.
4. The effect on the Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee Nation, was devastating. The Supreme Court's decision had initially given hope to the Cherokee Nation, as it affirmed their sovereignty and rights to their lands. However, Jackson's dismissal of the ruling and subsequent enforcement of the Indian Removal Act led to the forced removal of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States. This forced migration, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the deaths of thousands due to disease, hunger, and exposure. The case further highlighted the mistreatment and disregard for Native American rights by the U.S. government at the time.