Which Cherokee figure invented a writing system for the Cherokee Nation?

• A. John Marshall
• B. Sequoya
• C. Osceola
• D. Black Hawk

Answer: (B)

Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith, invented the Cherokee syllabary in the early 1820s, giving the Cherokee Nation a written form for their language. This writing system, with symbols for the syllables of Cherokee, made literacy accessible to many people and helped spread reading and writing quickly, including through the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. The other figures—John Marshall, Osceola, and Black Hawk—are known for legal or military leadership, not for creating a writing system. Sequoyah’s achievement stands out because it provided a practical, enduring means for the Cherokee to read, write, and preserve their language and culture.