When European settlers first arrived in North America, they came upon the Native Americans who were inhabiting the land. At first the Indians cooperated with the settlers. However, as time went on, the tension between their relationships grew. More and more land was taken from the Native Americans and they were encouraged to conform to the European society. As the English settlers began to expand their territory the Native Americans grew more violent. However, the “five civilized tribes” (which consisted of Seminole, Cherokee. Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Creek) remained in good relations with the Europeans. These tribes adopted European dress, culture, and intermarried with whites while some even owned slaves. Not all Native Americans agreed on whether or not to surrender to the settlers. The Cherokees began to pursue more practical ways of getting their rights, such as writing a formal constitution and declaring themselves an independent nation 1827. Their declaration was ignored by the Supreme Court. These events were precursors to the imminent fate of most Native Americans: The Trail of Tears.