Forced to Leave Indian Removal Act

Tragedy for Native Americans Since the early colonial era, white settlers had forced Native Americans off their land. Settlers refused to share the fertile land, ideal for farming, with the Native Americans.

Tragedy for Native Americans cont… The U.S. government set aside lands beyond the Mississippi River for the Native Americans to move to. The government thought moving the Native Americans away from the white settlers would protect them from destruction.

Tragedy for Native Americans cont… Few Native Americans moved willingly.

The Legal Battle The Cherokee Tribe went to court to defend their rights as an independent nation. They pointed to treaties with the federal government that protected their rights and property.

The Legal Battle cont… The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee, stating they could stay on their land, but President Jackson did NOT enforce the court’s decision.

Indian Removal Act In 1830, President Jackson approved the Indian Removal Act, forcing many Native Americans to move West of the Mississippi. Whites were willing to give up this land because they thought it was a vast desert.

Indian Removal Act cont… In 1838, the U.S. Army marched over 15,000 Cherokees westward. The Cherokees had little food and water.

Indian Removal Act cont… Thousands died during the march, mostly children and the elderly. The Cherokees’ long, horrible journey west became known as the Trail of Tears.