Treaty of May 6, 1828
The Treaty of May 6, 1828, negotiated by Secretary of War James Barbour, resulted in the Western Cherokee ceding their Arkansas lands to the U.S. in exchange for new territory in present-day Oklahoma, guaranteed to remain theirs forever. Acknowledging the unfavorable conditions in Arkansas amid westward expansion, the treaty aimed to prevent conflict and improve their future. The Cherokee relocated quickly, leaving behind farms for white settlers. The treaty also included provisions for education and compensation for their losses, as the Cherokee sought stability amid increasing pressures.