The pressure of removal of all Indians from the eastern states and territories to the undeveloped West caused the Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes to re-frame their basic institutions, including their governments, in an attempt to conform with Anglo American ideas of what was "civilized". Both the Choctaws and Cherokees established governments under written constitutions before removal to Oklahoma from the East, and both wrote new instruments of government soon after their arrival in the West. Between 1826 and 1860 the Choctaws wrote seven constitutions; each succeeding constitution was an amendment and improvement over its predecessor. The final document in 1860 served as their constitution for 46 years, until the end of the existence of the Choctaw republic. The government thus created, although using the basic political forms of the Anglo American tradition, was successful in retaining Indian concepts, such as the conviction that a government was designed to serve the people's needs, not to oppress them. Great care was taken, by means of frequent elections, short terms, and a minimum of appointive offices, to ensure that the actions of the government and its officials were constantly subject to check by the voters. The Choctaw bill of rights was included as Article I in the main body of all their constitutions. Appended are the text of the Constitution of 1860, a listing of the chiefs of the Choctaw Nation from 1802 to 1977, and a 32-item bibliography on the government and laws of the Choctaw Nation. (NQ)