he Cherokee Indians are the largest Native American group in the United States today. This tribe has a unique history, culture and religion that began before europeans arrived. During the American Revolution, the Cherokees sided mainly with the British because they feared that the American colonists would continue to encroach on Cherokee lands. In the 19th century, the Cherokees were known as one of the Five Civilized Tribes because they integrated several aspects of European culture and technology into their daily lives. Although recognizing the Cherokee desire to integrate cultures, the U.S. government removed the tribe from Georgia to Oklahoma on the famous Trail of Tears. Although displaced by the government, members of the Cherokee Tribe fought honorably on both sides during the Civil War, and earned high positions in the military. Since the 1600s, Cherokee history and American history have been intertwined, and they play a vital role in the makeup of American culture.