Final answer:
The state of Georgia tried to seize Cherokee land in the 1820s because gold had been found on the land.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best characterization for why the state of Georgia tried to seize Cherokee land in the 1820s is that gold had been found on Cherokee land. The discovery of gold sparked a gold rush in the region, leading to increased pressure on the Cherokee and their land. The state of Georgia sought to acquire the valuable resources by attempting to remove the Cherokee from their ancestral lands through legal and political means.
Learn more about the reasons behind Georgia's attempt to seize Cherokee land in the 1820s