Andrew Jackson and his Native American policy

If we cannot have a peaceful cohabitation…then we will have a violent co-annihilation -martin luther king jr.

Attitudes towards Indians The 3 A’s: The 3 A’s: Adapt Adapt Away Away Animal Animal

Why were Native Americans forced West? Economic Aspect Economic Aspect White settlers wanted their land for farming and gold White settlers wanted their land for farming and gold Political Aspect Political Aspect Native Americans were not allowed to maintain independent governments in the United States Native Americans were not allowed to maintain independent governments in the United States Social Aspect Social Aspect Many whites considered them uncivilized Many whites considered them uncivilized

Jackson’s Ultimatum Jackson said that the Indians could either adopt the white culture or move out of the United States. Jackson said that the Indians could either adopt the white culture or move out of the United States. The Native Americans tried to resist by hiding, taking up arms, or using the courts for help. The Native Americans tried to resist by hiding, taking up arms, or using the courts for help. However, none of this did any good However, none of this did any good

Native American Resistance The Seminoles refused to leave. They were led by Osceola and fought in the Everglades. This was the Second Seminole War. He used surprise attacks and guerilla warfare to defeat the U.S. forces. However, he was tricked and captured.

…but what about those who did attempt peaceful means?

OK…FINE! Sequoya, a Cherokee Indian, invented a writing system for the Cherokee language. What could this have possibly done? Cherokees learned to read and write Cherokees learned to read and write Published a newspaper and books Published a newspaper and books Show the whites that they could be like them Show the whites that they could be like them

This should be enough right???

NOPE Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act: Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act: The act that called for the government to negotiate treaties that would require Native Americans to relocate west of the Mississippi River. The act that called for the government to negotiate treaties that would require Native Americans to relocate west of the Mississippi River. The consequences of this act were that the Native Americans lost land, property and homes, and many died. The consequences of this act were that the Native Americans lost land, property and homes, and many died. Forced to the Indian Territory Forced to the Indian Territory Land that is currently Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas Land that is currently Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas

What were the economic effects of the Indian Removal Act? The Indians: The Indians: Became Impoverished Became Impoverished Lost their land Lost their land Had to move Had to move The Whites: The Whites: Became richer Became richer Gained land Gained land Mined gold Mined gold

The Trail of Tears The Cherokees appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to protect their land from being taken in Georgia The Cherokees appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to protect their land from being taken in Georgia John Marshall rules in favor of the Native Americans (only fed govt. could make laws governing the Cherokees) John Marshall rules in favor of the Native Americans (only fed govt. could make laws governing the Cherokees) Jackson does not care Jackson does not care “John Marshall has made his decision....Now let him enforce it.” “John Marshall has made his decision....Now let him enforce it.” He would not negotiate with them and had federal troops forced them to leave during the fall and winter. He would not negotiate with them and had federal troops forced them to leave during the fall and winter. ¼ of the Cherokees died on this journey due to the poor weather conditions and poor clothing. ¼ of the Cherokees died on this journey due to the poor weather conditions and poor clothing. Put in perspective…that is around 4,000 people. Put in perspective…that is around 4,000 people.

A Cry for Answers! “Murder is murder and somebody must answer, somebody must explain the streams of blood that flowed in the Indian country in Somebody must explain the four-thousand silent graves that mark the trail of the Cherokees to their exile. I wish I could forget it all, but the picture of 645 wagons lumbering over the frozen ground with their cargo of suffering humanity still lingers in my memory.” --John G. Burnett

ALAS…Jackson’s Promise “Friends and brothers, listen. Where you now are, you and my white children are too near to each other to live in harmony and peace…Beyond the great Mississippi…your father has provided a country large enough for all of you, and he advises you to remove to it. There your white brothers will not trouble you…and you can live upon it as long as the grass grows or the water runs, in peace and plenty. The land beyond the Mississippi belongs to the President and no one else, and he will give it to you forever.” “Friends and brothers, listen. Where you now are, you and my white children are too near to each other to live in harmony and peace…Beyond the great Mississippi…your father has provided a country large enough for all of you, and he advises you to remove to it. There your white brothers will not trouble you…and you can live upon it as long as the grass grows or the water runs, in peace and plenty. The land beyond the Mississippi belongs to the President and no one else, and he will give it to you forever.”

Circa 1700

1763

1768

1834

1854

1876

1889