In what year did Worcester v. Georgia decide that Georgia law did not apply in Cherokee territory?

In what year did Worcester v. Georgia decide that Georgia law did not apply in Cherokee territory?

• A. 1830
• B. 1831
• C. 1832
• D. 1833

Answer: (C)

The main idea is federal authority over Indian nations. Worcester v. Georgia established that Georgia’s laws can’t apply in Cherokee territory because Indian nations are distinct political communities that fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case was issued in 1832, so that year is the correct one. The Indian Removal Act that Congress passed in 1830 influenced policy, but it is not the year the court ruled; the ruling itself came in 1832, affirming that only the federal government could regulate relations with the Cherokee and that Georgia could not enforce its laws there.

The main idea is federal authority over Indian nations. Worcester v. Georgia established that Georgia’s laws can’t apply in Cherokee territory because Indian nations are distinct political communities that fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case was issued in 1832, so that year is the correct one. The Indian Removal Act that Congress passed in 1830 influenced policy, but it is not the year the court ruled; the ruling itself came in 1832, affirming that only the federal government could regulate relations with the Cherokee and that Georgia could not enforce its laws there.