What was notable about the Treaty of New Echota (1835)?

The significance of the Treaty of New Echota, signed in 1835, lies primarily in the fact that it was executed without the consent of the majority of the Cherokee leadership and the Cherokee National Council. The treaty was negotiated by a small faction of the Cherokee, known as the Treaty Party, who were in favor of relocation. This decision to sign the treaty went against the wishes of the broader Cherokee population, who largely opposed the removal from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States.

The treaty led to significant consequences, including the forced relocation of thousands of Cherokee people, known as the Trail of Tears, which resulted in extensive suffering and loss of life. The broader Cherokee nation did not recognize the Treaty of New Echota as valid since it was not authorized by their primary leaders or the governing body of the tribe. Thus, the lack of consent from the larger group is why this aspect of the treaty is noteworthy and critical to understanding its historical impact.