Before the Cherokee left on the Trial of Tears, the Cherokee people were divided, that was the best way to handle the government´s determination to get its hands on their territory. Some wanted to stay and fight, ohers thought it was better to agree to leave in exchange for money and other concessions.
In 1835 a few self appointed representatives of the Cherokee nation negotiated the treaty of New Echota, which traded all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi for US$ 5 Million, relocation assistance and compensation for lost properties.
