Cherokees :: essays research papers

Thesis: The fierce struggle of European nations to dominate the New World caused the Texas Cherokees to be “caught between two fires.'; The two fires Everett refers to is not only in respect to white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east, but between removal and extermination. The Texas Cherokees courageously strived to remain determined in a situation which they were able to alter somewhat but were not able to take control. Everetts depiction of the Texas Cherokees experiences fully supported the thesis presented. The thesis was clearly stated in the preface and the use of specific examples helped to strongly support it as portrayed below. The arguments were followed with supporting statements as portrayed below as well. Everett presents us with a fair, two sided account of the confrontations between the Texas Cherokees and the European settlers. One component of the thesis Everett relates to the Cherokees caught between white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east. Everett gives several examples of Europeans pushing the Cherokees westward. In 1817, the Western Cherokees signed a treaty giving up land rights in the east to Europeans in exchange for permanent reserve in northern Arkansas. (Everett 14) She also demonstrates the resistance received from western tribes. “Warfare with Comanches would replace warfare with Osages.'; (Everett 25) Both statements are examples of how the Texas Cherokees were literally “caught between two fires'; and was very effective. Another aspect of the thesis relates the Texas Cherokees caught between removal and extermination. Everett strongly supports this aspect of the thesis when she gives the example of the new president of the Republic of Texas sending a letter to Duwali’s village. It states that “the red man and the white man cannot dwell together'; and goes on to say, “their final removal is contemplated.'; (Everett 103) This statement alone describes the European feelings toward the red man. It proves how Europeans refuse to negotiate with “savages'; and will use force if they do not cooperate. The third topic of the thesis Everett attempts to prove deals with the determination of the Texas Cherokees to attempt to control the situations they were faced with. It is stated that five hundred warriors took part in the final battle Chief Duwali would fight in. (Everett 108) This proves the determination in the Cherokees hearts. Instead of giving up and moving east they decided to take a stand with overwhelming odds against them.