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Essay On How Did The Cherokee Enter The Civil War

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Twentysix years following their population decreasing by a fourth, having their land taken away, and being moved hundreds of miles aways from their old homes, the Cherokee found another challenge to attend to. The Cherokee nation was forced to choose between supporting the United States, a nation who had wronged them before, and the Confederate States of America, a group of rebels. Following the United States government’s abandonment of Native American reservations, the Cherokee were forced to align themselves with either the United States or the Confederate States of America. After extensive discussion the Cherokee chose to enter the Civil War with the Confederates. It is important to note that the Cherokee were not that special for entering …show more content…

In the end, the Cherokee’s alliance turned out to be ill-fated. The Cherokee were not one to give up so easily evidenced by the last general to surrender was Cherokee General Stand Watie. His late surrender certainly did not improve the feelings of the citizens of the United States towards him and his tribe. After the war, the Cherokee tribe was a laughingstock and were regarded as traitors. Even after their defeat, the Cherokee could still be proud they enjoyed a bit of freedom from the United States.

No one can argue that attempts at diplomatic relations with the Cherokee helped the Confederacy secure their alliance. Throughout the war the Cherokee and various Confederate representatives or governors were sent letters back and forth. One of the most well known letters was sent by Arkansas governor Henry Rector, near the beginning of the war. Even four months before the war, the Confederacy was already trying to gain an ally in the Cherokee. The letter provides clear evidence that the Confederacy was willing to put a great deal of manpower and resources into getting an ally in the

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