The Treaty of Hopewell, signed in 1785, was a major diplomatic agreement between the fledgling United States and the Cherokee Nation, addressing the territorial disputes that arose as American settlers moved into areas inhabited by Indigenous peoples. This treaty was negotiated at a time when the U.S. government sought to establish a stable relationship with Native American tribes to facilitate westward expansion and reduce potential conflicts. The treaty was specifically significant as it recognized and delineated lands belonging to the Cherokee in what is now East Tennessee, enabling them to maintain a degree of sovereignty and land rights amidst increasing pressures from settlers.

The signatories included prominent figures such as U.S. negotiator and future president Andrew Jackson and Cherokee leaders, who sought to protect their customs, land, and way of life. The agreement not only set forth the boundaries of Cherokee lands but also provided a framework for future interactions and obligations between the two parties. While the treaty was hailed as a means of fostering peace, it also reflected the underlying tensions and the complexities of American expansionist policies, which often favored settlers at the expense of Indigenous peoples.

The Treaty of Hopewell played a crucial role in shaping subsequent treaties and interactions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. It established a precedent regarding U.S. recognition of Indigenous land rights, though many agreements would later be undermined or broken as the nation expanded further westward, leading to significant changes in the lives and territories of Native Americans. This tension between treaties and the reality of U.S. expansionism would be a recurring theme throughout American history.