1. Indian Removal, Andrew Jackson and the Federal Government

2. Today! You are charged with determining whether Andrew Jackson is a good President or a bad President. You will look at a series of events, collect facts, evaluate the information and make a determination. Today, we will look at the Trail of Tears and Indian Removal. We will also examine Jackson and Nullification, his battle with the National Bank, and some other key issues during his presidency. You will eventually write an essay on your research so be sure to take good notes.

3. Jackson and the Native Americans The new era of democracy in the 1830s led to more people being involved politics. Jackson did not include Native Americans. – The consequence of this decision resulted in the removal of all remaining Native Americans east of the Mississippi River.

4. Indian Removal Act (IRA) Native Americans living in the South were subject to new pressure from the new economic growth The expansion of cotton pressured Native Americans to give up their land. 1830 – The IRA provided funds to uproot five “civilized” tribes.

5. Indian Removal Act (IRA) The five tribes were: – Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole Roughly 60,000 people living in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi

6. Indian Removal Act (IRA) The Cherokee attempted to become “civilized” by American standards. – Based on the Indian Removal Act the Cherokee are unsuccessful. Jackson repeatedly refers to Native Americans as “savages” in his messages to Congress.

7. The Supreme Court and the IRA The Supreme Court rules in 1832 (Worcester vs. Georgia) that Native Americans have a separate political identity from America. – Must be dealt with by the Federal Government Consequence: Any state actions to remove them are unconstitutional

8. The Supreme Court and the IRA Jackson ignores the decision by the Supreme Court. – “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.” Federal soldiers during Van Buren’s presidency (Jackson’s successor) remove the Native Americans.

9. Trail of Tears The forcible removal is known as the Trail of Tears. – 18,000 Cherokees are removed. Forced to moved to Oklahoma More than 25% die along the way to Oklahoma.