“Manifest Destiny” and the Removal of the Native Americans An American Tragedy

“What is Manifest Destiny” Americans believed that it was their future to expand and spread over the entire continent. Americans Push West

But There Was 1 Problem Many Native Americans still lived on some of the land that American’s claimed to be theirs’. In 1830, there were still 150,000 Native Americans living in the Southeast.

Nation’s of the Southeast Creeks Choctaws Chickasaw Cherokee Seminole

Conflict with White Settlers Why would there be conflict with Settlers? Fought for control of fertile land. Attacked each other. Both sides killed innocent people.

Misunderstood Uncivilized savages. Native American’s valued: Honor What are some misunderstandings these two groups of people could have had? Uncivilized savages. Native American’s valued: Honor Dedication Honesty Bravery.

The Government Steps In Finally, after years of conflict, Andrew Jackson stepped in and asked the government to move Native American’s west of the Mississippi.

Indian Removal Act of 1830 Buy land from Native American’s. Pay for the move. Provide new land West of the Mississippi.

Cherokees Refused to Leave Adopted white customs. Bought slaves. Constitution based on the US constitution. Supreme Court sided with Cherokees.

“The Trail of Tears” In 1838 US Army forced 15,000 Cherokees to move. Marched over a 1000 miles. No shelter, little food, cold weather.

4,000 died -mostly children and the elderly. In this picture I see _____________, also I noticed that there is/are _____________. I wonder ____________. It must have been _______________. I can not believe that ______________. Can something like this happen again? 4,000 died -mostly children and the elderly.