Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal Indian Removal Act

Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal

Indian Removal Act • Indian Removal Act— 1830 authorized removal of Native Americans who lived east of the Mississippi River to lands in the west -Purpose: open up land for settlement

Indian Removal Act – Indian Territory— area of present-day Oklahoma where tribes were relocated

Indian Removal Act – Bureau of Indian Affairs—federal agency that oversaw policy directed towards American Indians

Removal of Native Americans • Choctaw: – first tribe to move – Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek— Choctaw ceded 10 million+ acres of land in Mississippi – Disastrous journey to Indian Territory (2, 500 died)

• Creek: – Resisted removal – 1836: federal troops remove from Alabamasome in chains • Chickasaw: – 1837 -38: Removed from Mississippi

Cherokee Resistance k r o w • Cherokee thought they would be left alone by adopting white culture d i D t o n – Children learned English – Government similar to U. S. • Gold discovered in Cherokee land in Georgia

Cherokee Resistance • Georgia orders Cherokee to leave • Cherokee refuse and sue… – Worcester v. Georgia- 1832 Supreme Court Case • Cherokee claim: Independent nation in which the laws of Georgia did not apply • Chief Justice John Marshall agreed

“…[the Cherokee nation] is a distinct community, occupying its own territory, …in which the laws of Georgia have no force. ” --Chief Justice John Marshall

Cherokee Resistance • Georgia orders Cherokee to leave Marshall “John maderefuse his • has Cherokee and sue… decision; now – Worcester v. let Georgia- 1832 Supreme Court Case him • Cherokee enforce it. ” claim: Independent nation in which the laws of Georgia did not apply --Andrew Jackson • Chief Justice John Marshall agreed • President Jackson ignored the ruling

Cherokee Resistance • 1835 Treaty of New Echota – small fraction of the Cherokee agreed to removal • Spring 1838: U. S. troops begin to remove Cherokee to Indian Territory

Cherokee Resistance • Trail of Tears: 800 mile forced march to Indian Territory - Over 1/4 th (4, 000) died from disease, starvation, harsh weather, etc.

Seminole Wars • First Seminole War – General Jackson fought against Florida Seminoles following the War of 1812. • 1832: Leaders forced to sign removal treaty – Seminoles refused to leave – U. S. sent troops in 1835

Seminole Wars • Second Seminole War – Osceola called upon the Seminole to resist removal by force – War from 1835 -1842 • 3, 000+ Seminoles captured and moved to Indian Territory • 1500 U. S. soldiers died, $15+ million spent • U. S. gives up fight

Seminole Wars • Third Seminole War – Fighting over Florida land • 1855 -1858 • Most Seminole leave Florida • Small group refused to leave