The fierce struggle of European nations to dominate the New World caused the Texas Cherokees to be “caught between two fires. ” The two fires Everett refers to is not only in respect to white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east, but between removal and extermination. The Texas Cherokees courageously strived to remain determined in a situation which they were able to alter somewhat but were not able to take control. Everetts depiction of the Texas Cherokees experiences fully supported the thesis presented.
The thesis was clearly stated in the preface and the use of specific examples helped to strongly support it as portrayed below. The arguments were followed with supporting statements as portrayed below as well. Everett presents us with a fair, two sided account of the confrontations between the Texas Cherokees and the European settlers. One component of the thesis Everett relates to the Cherokees caught between white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east.
Everett gives several examples of Europeans pushing the Cherokees westward. In 1817, the Western Cherokees signed a treaty giving up land rights in the east to Europeans in exchange for permanent reserve in northern Arkansas. (Everett 14) She also demonstrates the resistance received from western tribes. “Warfare with Comanches would replace warfare with Osages. ” (Everett 25) Both statements are examples of how the Texas Cherokees were literally “caught between two fires” and was very effective.
Another aspect of the thesis relates the Texas Cherokees caught between removal and extermination. Everett strongly supports this aspect of the thesis when she gives the example of the new president of the Republic of Texas sending a letter to Duwali’s village. It states that “the red man and the white man cannot dwell together” and goes on to say, “their final removal is contemplated. ” (Everett 103) This statement alone describes the European feelings toward the red man.
It proves how Europeans refuse to negotiate with “savages” and will use force if they do not cooperate. The third topic of the thesis Everett attempts to prove deals with the determination of the Texas Cherokees to attempt to control the situations they were faced with. It is stated that five hundred warriors took part in the final battle Chief Duwali would fight in. (Everett 108) This proves the determination in the Cherokees hearts. Instead of giving up and moving east they decided to take a stand with overwhelming odds against them.
Unsurprisingly the Cherokees are defeated, however the thesis was strongly supported. How book relates to theme of class : Everett’s “ The Texas Cherokees,” A People Between Two Fires, relates to a theme in this class. One of the larger themes in this class deals with the interactions between the West and non-Western peoples and the book is a perfect example of the confrontations experienced between the Cherokees being non-Western people and Europeans being West people. Europeans came to the New World with ideas of enlightonment and spreading Christainity.
They considered all natives to be savages and treated them likewise. For example, Everett implied that the treaty of 1836 would have strengthened relations between the Texas Cherokees and the republic (83), however Texas reneged on the 1836 treaty. (89) Reneging on this treaty demonstrates the moral of the Europeans. The powerful land owners who made all political decisions were sure not to give any group a feeling of equality between them. Natives had no power and were forced to cooperate with the Europeans.
In our course we have learned about relations between Europeans and Slaves as well. The treatment slaves received from the Europeans were similar. Slaves had no power and were forced to cooperate with the Europeans or face the consequence of death. In Fifty Days on board a Slave Vessel the British who were against slavery “rescued” slaves being deported from Africa. However, Hill reveals that instead of setting the “rescued” slaves free they are forced to work as indentured servents.
