Answer: View explanation below
Explanation: Indigenous groups in the southeastern United States faced forced removal from their ancestral lands by the federal government in the 19th century. Despite the devastating impact of this policy, Indigenous peoples employed various forms of resistance to fight against removal. Here are two ways in which they resisted:
Legal Challenges: Indigenous peoples used legal challenges as a way to resist removal. They argued that the treaties they had signed with the federal government guaranteed them the right to remain on their ancestral lands. For example, in the Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) case, the Cherokee Nation argued that they were a sovereign nation and that Georgia had no right to force them to leave their land. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the Cherokee, this case set a precedent for using the legal system to fight for Indigenous rights.
Armed Resistance: Some Indigenous groups chose to resist removal through armed resistance. The most famous example of this is the Seminole Wars (1818-1858), in which the Seminole people of Florida fought against removal by the U.S. Army. The Seminole were skilled fighters and were able to use the dense swamps of Florida to their advantage. They launched surprise attacks on U.S. troops and were able to resist removal for many years. The Seminole Wars were costly for both sides, and the U.S. government eventually agreed to allow the Seminole to remain in Florida. This was a rare victory for Indigenous peoples in the face of federal removal policies.
Overall, Indigenous peoples in the southeastern United States used a variety of strategies to resist removal, including legal challenges, armed resistance, and cultural preservation. While many were eventually removed from their lands, their resistance serves as a powerful reminder of their determination to protect their communities, cultures, and ways of life.