In Worcester v. Georgia (1832), what did the US Supreme Court establish regarding Cherokee Native Americans?

In Worcester v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was a distinct community with its own sovereign rights, and that they were protected from state government actions. The case arose when Samuel Worcester was arrested for living on Cherokee land without a state permit, leading to a legal battle that ultimately asserted the autonomy of the Cherokee people against Georgia's encroachments.

The Court determined that the state of Georgia did not have the right to impose its laws within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, highlighting the tribes' sovereignty and their special status as independent political communities. This ruling recognized that the federal government had exclusive authority to manage relations with Native American tribes, effectively shielding the Cherokee from state interference.

This decision was significant in affirming the political autonomy and rights of Native American tribes, illustrating the complex legal relationships between state and federal powers concerning Native American sovereignty.