How did the Cherokee attempt to protect their lands before the Trail of Tears?

Answer 1

Before the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation sought to protect their lands through legal means and diplomacy. They adopted a written constitution, established a formal government, and engaged in treaties with the United States, notably the Treaty of New Echota in 1835, which they later rejected. The Cherokee also sought support from sympathetic allies and appealed to the federal courts, notably in the case of Worcester v. Georgia (1832), where the Supreme Court ruled in their favor. Despite these efforts, the U.S. government ultimately ignored the court's decision, leading to their forced removal.