Who were the key signers of the Treaty of New Echota?

The key signers of the Treaty of New Echota were Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot. This treaty, signed in 1835, was significant because it represented the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States as part of the Trail of Tears.

Major Ridge and John Ridge were influential Cherokee leaders who supported the treaty, believing it would lead to a peaceful resolution with the United States, despite significant opposition from Chief John Ross and other Cherokee members who wanted to resist removal. Elias Boudinot, who was also part of the treaty negotiations, felt that signing the treaty was the best course for the Cherokee Nation in light of the pressures from the U.S. government. Their decision to sign the treaty ultimately led to increased division within the Cherokee community and was a pivotal moment in their history.