“Cherokees in the Revolutionary Era: Diplomacy, Conflict, and Peace”
Presented by Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert
Time: Sunday, July 7, 2024 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Location: Middleton Place Pavilion
Exploring the worldview of the Cherokees provides insights into the events that occur as colonists of South Carolina begin to discuss grievances with the rule of Great Britain. Experiences in the French and Indian War (1754-63) had affected Cherokee diplomacy and their alliances. As some colonists begin to fight for their independence, some Cherokee leaders advocate for neutrality in the war, while others align with Great Britain. Exploring the divisions in the Cherokee Nation helps us understand the deep divisions in the colonies as Loyalists fight Patriots. The unsettlement of the American Revolution extends beyond military battles. The aftermath illustrates how the creativity and adaptability of Indigenous survivors of war can make peace, overcome challenges, and build new lives. This talk is free; however, advanced registration is required.
About our Speaker: Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert earned Masters’ and Ph.D. degrees in American Studies from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She served 5 universities as an American history and public history professor and academic administrator. From 1988 to 2020, she served as an editorial board member of the Journal of Cherokee Studies. In 2004 she participated in a Fulbright-Hayes summer program in South Africa. Taylor-Colbert is a museum curator and archivist and former president of the Georgia Association of Historians. She currently serves on the boards of the South Carolina Historical Association and the Georgia Trail of Tears Association. As an independent consultant, Taylor-Colbert works with South Carolina Humanities on Development and Strategic Initiatives.
This program is sponsored by South Carolina Humanities, a not-for-profit organization; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage.
The mission of South Carolina Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. This not-for-profit organization presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state.