Final answer:
John Ross, as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, played a central role in resisting the Treaty of New Echota and the forced removal of the Cherokee people resulting in the Trail of Tears.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Ross's dealings with the United States government had a profound impact on the organization of the Cherokee Nation, particularly in the era of Indian removal. As principal chief, Ross was a staunch opponent of the Treaty of New Echota, which was signed by members of the Treaty Party led by Major Ridge, his son John Ridge, and others.
This treaty ceded all Cherokee lands east of the Mississippi to the U.S. in exchange for lands in Indian Territory and other compensation. However, Ross argued that the Treaty Party did not represent the will of the Cherokee people and that the treaty was a fraud.
The division between Ross and the Treaty Party led to significant tension within the Cherokee Nation. After the forced removal of the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears, Ross was elected principal chief again in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the new location of the Cherokee Nation. His leadership continued to shape the Cherokee government in their new lands.
Tragically, the night of his reelection, Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot, key figures of the Treaty Party, were assassinated, indicating the profound internal conflicts within the Cherokee Nation as a consequence of removal policies.
Ross's efforts to resist removal included legal challenges, such as the Cherokee Nation v. Georgia case, where the Supreme Court did not recognize the Cherokee as a sovereign nation. Despite these challenges, Ross’s leadership is remembered for its unwavering defense of the Cherokee Nation's sovereignty and legitimacy, leaving a lasting impact on its organization and legacy.