What presided over the decision to recognize states' authority over Indian lands?

The decision to recognize states' authority over Indian lands primarily stemmed from the Supreme Court rulings, particularly those from cases involving Georgia. These rulings established a significant precedent regarding the relationship between state governments and Native American nations, often favoring the states in their claims over indigenous territories.

Notably, the Supreme Court's stance in cases like Worcester v. Georgia emphasized the complexities of federalism in the United States, where states sought to expand their influence and governance over lands they claimed within their borders, despite federal treaties that recognized Indian sovereignty. The rulings highlighted a tension between state authority and federal treaties with Native American tribes, ultimately resulting in state-led policies that frequently undermined indigenous land rights.

The other choices, while related to broader constitutional frameworks or governance structure, do not directly relate to the specific legal precedents set by the Supreme Court regarding the recognition of state authority over Indian lands. The Preamble of the Constitution outlines the purposes of government but does not address state vs. federal authority over Native American lands. The interpretation of federal law would involve broader legal matters that do not focus solely on state authority over Indian lands. The Articles of Confederation served as the nation's first governing document, but they lacked provisions concerning the governance of Indian lands,