In Worcester v. Georgia, the Supreme Court held that the Cherokee were not bound by which laws?

• A. Federal laws
• B. Local ordinances
• C. State laws
• D. International law

Answer: (C)

The key idea is tribal sovereignty within the United States and who has the authority to govern Indian lands. In Worcester v. Georgia, the Supreme Court said the Cherokee Nation is a distinct political community whose dealings with the United States are governed by federal law and treaties, not by a neighboring state's laws. Because of this federal prerogative, Georgia could not impose its laws on Cherokee territory. So, the Cherokee were not bound by state laws when on their own lands; they remained subject to federal law and treaties with the United States. This decision highlights federal supremacy in Indian affairs and the autonomy of Native nations within U.S. borders. Local ordinances and international law aren’t the binding framework here in the same way; the controlling factor is federal authority.