1785 - Treaty of Hopewell is the first treaty between the U.S. and the Cherokees.
1791 - Treaty of Holston signed. Includes a call for the U.S. to advance civilization of the Cherokees by giving them farm tools and technical advice.
1802 - Jefferson signs Georgia Compact.
1817 - Treaty makes exchange for land in Arkansas. Old settlers begin voluntary migration and establish a government there. In 1828, they are forced to move into Indian territory.
1824 - First written law of Western Cherokees.
1825 - New Echota, GA authorized as Cherokee capital.
1827 - Modern Cherokee Nation begins with Cherokee Constitution established by a convention; John Ross elected chief.
1828-1830 - Georgia Legislature abolishes tribal government and expands authority over Cherokee country.
1832 - US Supreme Court decision Worcester vs Georgia establishes tribal sovereignty, protects Cherokees from Georgia laws. Jackson won't enforce decision and Georgia holds lottery for Cherokee lands.
1835 - Treaty Party signs Treaty of New Echota, giving up title to all Cherokee lands in southeast in exchange for land in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma.).
1838-1839 - Trails of Tears. US Government's forced removal of 17,000 Cherokees, in defiance of Supreme Court decision. More than 4,000 die from exposure and disease along the way.
1839 - Assassination of Treaty Party leaders, Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot for breaking pact not to sign Treaty of New Echota. Factionalism continues until 1846. New constitution ratified at convention uniting Cherokees arriving from the east with those in the west.
1860 - Tension mounts between Union Cherokees and Confederate Cherokees. Civil War begins.
1861 - Treaty signed at Park Hill between Cherokee Nation and the Confederate government. Cherokee Nation torn by border warfare throughout the Civil War.
1865-1866 - Cherokee must negotiate peace with the US Government. New treaty limits tribal land rights, eliminates possibility of Cherokee State and is prelude to Dawes Commission. John Ross dies.
1887 - General Allotment Act passed; requires individual ownership of lands once held in common by Indian tribes.
1889 - Unassigned lands in Indian Territory opened by white settlers known as "boomers."
1890 - Oklahoma Territory organized out of western half of Indian Territory.
1893 - Cherokee Outlet opened for white settlers.Dawes Commission arrives.
1898 - Curtis Act passed abolishing tribal courts.
1903 - W.C. Rogers becomes last elected chief for 69 years.
1905 - Land allotment begins after official roll taken of Cherokees.
1907 - Oklahoma statehood combines Indian and Oklahoma Territories and dissolves tribal government.
1917 - William C. Rogers, the last Cherokee Chief, dies.
1934 - Indian Reorganization Act established a landbase for tribes and legal structure for self government.
Elveta Guinn, gr grandaughter of James S. George
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