What legal designation did the Supreme Court provide for Indian tribes in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)?

In the case of Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831), the Supreme Court specifically described Indian tribes, including the Cherokee, as "domestic dependent nations." This legal designation acknowledges their unique political status within the United States. The term reflects the idea that while tribes have a degree of sovereignty and self-governance, they also exist under the authority of the federal government, which has a trust responsibility toward them.

The ruling established that the relationship between the federal government and tribes is not one of foreign nations, but rather a domestic one. This is significant because it set the foundation for future legal interactions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. The term "domestic dependent nations" helps clarify that tribes maintain certain autonomy but are ultimately reliant on federal oversight and protection. This classification is critical to understanding the legal rights and limitations that were imposed on Native American tribes in subsequent cases and legislative actions.