In what manner did the Cherokee resist their removal from their land?

The Cherokee employed a strategic approach to resist their removal from their ancestral lands primarily through the U.S. Court system. Notably, they took significant legal action, most famously in the case of Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worchester v. Georgia. In these cases, they argued for their rights as a sovereign nation and sought recognition under the law. The U.S. Supreme Court, particularly in the Worcester case, ruled in favor of the Cherokee, asserting that the state of Georgia had no authority over Cherokee lands. This legal resistance highlighted their commitment to using the established judicial mechanisms of the United States to fight for their rights and maintain their territory.

In engaging with legal frameworks, the Cherokee sought to uphold their sovereignty and protect their land through lawful means, contrasting with more violent forms of resistance or seeking support from other tribes. This method of fighting for their rights through the courts demonstrated their belief in the American legal system, even as the political realities ultimately led to their tragic removal, known as the Trail of Tears.