Cherokee Leaders
GRADES: 4
DURATION: 45 minutes
MATERIALS:
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Introduction:
Various positions appear to have been common to all or most of the Southeastern Indians. They would have a peace chief, and a war chief. Among the Cherokees, each of these chiefs led a council. The peace council was made up mostly of priests. They oversaw civil law and religion. The war council was made up of military leaders. They managed all decisions during times of war, but the Peace Chief always had the right to overrule the War Chief’s decisions.
All tribal people were equal in terms of personal liberty. Recognition was based on merit—some superior ability or virtue. Cherokees were impressed by a tribe member’s speaking ability and often rewarded the speakers with power in their councils.
Once in power, the leader had to continue to demonstrate his abilities. If a war leader was thought to have spiritual impurity, Indians believed that this could lead to casualties or other disasters. If several warriors died in battle, the leader was believed to be out of divine favor, and could be demoted or even put to death.
One European observed that no government could be contrived "where the equality of mankind is more justly observed" than among the Chickasaw. This remark and other references indicate that all adult tribal members – including women – were free to make their own political choices, whether it was voting for a chief or joining with English or French traders.
Nonetheless, a tribal member's thinking was influenced by members of his or her clan, especially by the elder women. Since marriage within the clan was forbidden and a male member of a clan went to live with his wife's family and clan, he could be influenced by them as well.
Spiritual leaders also had a great deal of influence, by virtue of their ability to contact and bargain with the Upper and Lower Worlds.
Guiding Question:
Objectives:
Assessment:
Advance Preparation:Create a separate file folder or packet of info for each leader (articles and images). Note: the images are jpgs and do not have the titles on them. As you print them off, be sure and write the name on the image. Also the image of Atakullakulla is a drawing of the 1730 Cherokee delegation to London. Historians think he is the younger-looking man on the far right.Procedure:
Extensions:
Standards:Grade 4 Tennessee Social Studies Standards:
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National History Standards:
Topic Two: The History of the Students' Own State or Region
STANDARD 3:
The people, events, problems, and ideas that created the history of their state. .
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Standard 3A: The student understands the history of indigenous peoples who first lived in his or her state or region.
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Standard 3B: The student understands the history of the first European, African, and/or Asian-Pacific explorers and settlers who came to his or her state or region. | ||||
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