What was the main goal of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention in 1905?

The primary aim of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention in 1905 was to form a separate state for the Five Civilized Tribes, which included the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole Nations. This initiative arose from a desire among these tribes to have greater control over their governance and affairs, especially following the tumultuous era of Indian removal and the assimilation policies imposed by the U.S. government. The convention was a significant attempt to unify these tribes politically and establish a distinct state that catered to their unique cultural and historical identity.

The convention produced a constitution and a proposal for statehood, which ultimately led to the creation of Oklahoma as a state in 1907, when Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory were merged. This goal reflected the tribes’ recognition of their need to assert sovereignty in the changing political landscape of the early 20th century.