Final answer:
Chief William McIntosh betrayed his people for economic gains by ceding Creek land to the US, while Chief John Ross strongly advocated for the Cherokee and led the resistance against their forced removal and the Treaty of New Echota.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leadership of Chief William McIntosh differed from Chief John Ross in a significant manner. Chief William McIntosh was known to have betrayed his people for economic gains. He signed the Treaty of Indian Springs in 1825, which ceded Creek land to the US government without the full support of the Creek Nation, an act that eventually led to his execution by his own people. On the other hand, Chief John Ross was an advocate for his people, the Cherokee, and worked tirelessly to resist their forced removal. This dedication to his people was exemplified after the enactment of the Treaty of New Echota, where he led the opposition to the treaty which had been negotiated without the sanction of the Cherokee National Council, leading the Cherokee during the tumultuous times of the Trail of Tears.