John Ridge Culture

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During the American Revolution and the Jackson Era, Native Americans faced significant challenges as they navigated the changing political landscape and encroachment on their lands. Despite their efforts to adapt and negotiate with the United States government, many tribes were forced to relocate west due to the Indian Removal Act of 1830. However, most tribes resisted relocation, leading to the Trail of Tears. The American Experience, We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears introduces The Ridge, a Native American man who negotiated with the US government for the safety of the Cherokee people and to stay on their forefathers' land. He embraced Western culture, learned English, and became a slave owner. Ridge acknowledged the unpredictability of his …show more content…
Thomas Jefferson believed that Natives could become "equal" to white Americans if they became more "civilized" and like their white neighbors. The Ridge (now called Major Ridge) and his wealth grew along with his family. He now had a son, John Ridge, who was “his greatest hope”. Major Ridge seized the opportunity when the U.S. War Department offered to cover John's and his cousin Elias Boudinot's tuition at a missionary school in Connecticut. Though he was going away to learn more about Western culture, his mother and father didn't want him to forget where he came from. “Little one, don't forget where you grew up." Learn a different way, but don't forget. Goodbye. We will see each other again.” was told to him by his mother before he left. In his time there he was chosen to prepare an essay for President James Monroe where he wrote about his parents and his Christian …show more content…
The Cherokee people were given two years to remove themselves peacefully in May 1838, but only a few left. White settlers began to strip the Cherokees of everything they had. Chief John Ross believed the Ridges' narrowly ratified treaty could be overturned, and he wrote a petition to the United States Senate. On May 26, 1838, the Assembly of the Cherokee people began, and the first detachments were shipped west under military guard. Chief Ross convinced U.S. military officials to let him take over the organization and supply the removal, allowing his people to sit tight until fall. Still thousands died on the Trail of Tears, and angry men murdered John Ridge, his cousin Elias Boudinot, and his father Major Ridge. “They stabbed him repeatedly. They beat him to death. Took turns kicking the body, and jumping up and down, caving in his chest.”. About John Ridge’s death. By 1860, after a quarter century of removal, Ross had managed to restore the Cherokee Nation, reconstituted its government, flourished businesses, and had the best public education system in
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