The problem of removal split the Cherokee Nation politically. Ross, backed by the vast majority, tried repeatedly to stop white political powers from forcing the tribe to move and became known as the National Party. Others, who came to believe that further resistance would be futile, wanted to seek the best settlement they could get and formed the "Treaty Party," or "Ridge Party," led by Major Ridge. The much smaller Treaty Party negotiated with the United States and signed the Treaty of New Echota on December 29, 1835, which required the Cherokee to leave by 1838. Neither Chief Ross nor the council ever approved it, but the US government regarded the treaty as valid. Ross and tens of thousands of traditional Cherokee people objected and voted not to comply with an invalid treaty, which had been supported by a few hundred mostly-assimilated Cherokee.