In 1830, Andrew Jackson urged Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act. This act allowed the president to make a treaty with Natives. They would trade their eastern land for western land. They could not be removed by force, and the Supreme Court ruled that Natives had a right to their lands. Jackson disagreed, and Native tribes that refused to move west were met with military force. The Sac and Fox Indians of Illinois were an example of Jackson using force. They fought their removal for two years before their men were slaughtered and their leader was taken captive. Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830

Although some whites were ashamed of the oppressive treatment of natives, the government’s actions continued as Van Buren took office. More than 17,000 Native Americans were forced out of their homes and marched west to Indian Territory. 4,000 of the natives died on this harsh, winter journey. There were five main tribes moved west, the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole. The Trail of Tears

Whites make up 77.9% of the U.S. population. 66% own their own house. The median value of homes is $185, % of ages 25+ have high school diploma. 15% are in poverty. 16.3% don’t have health insurance. Current Living Conditions of White Americans

There are 5 million native Americans and Alaska natives in the U.S. This is 1.2% of the total U.S. population. There are 1,810,000 native families in the U.S. 39% are married couples with children. 18% are married couples under 18 with children. 55% of natives own their own house. The median value of homes owned is $129, % of ages 25+ have high school diploma. 16% of ages 25+have bachelor's degree. 163,676 out of 5 million natives ages 25+ have a graduate or professional degree. 28% of ages 16+ work in management, professional, or related jobs 24% work in sales and office jobs. 24% work in service jobs. The median income of native households is 37, % of natives in are in poverty. 24.1% of natives don’t have health insurance. Current Living Conditions of Native Americans

Based on current living conditions of Native Americans and White Americans, the Indian Removal Act could be considered not justified. This is primarily because native living conditions are worse today than White living conditions. More natives drop out high school, don’t graduate college, and are in poverty or without health insurance than white people. In addition, the Trail of Tears was a cruel and inhumane journey. Why the Indian Removal Act Could be Considered Not Justified

Based on current living conditions, the Indian Removal Act was justified because, without it, we would not be here today because this land would still be owned by natives. Also, although life is worse for natives compared to Americans, it’s not as extreme as might be expected. Natives are still given the same rights of all Americans, such as education and expression. Throughout our research, we experienced bias from both sides, but putting that aside, the Indian Removal Act seems to be justified. Based on Current Living Conditions of Americans and Natives, was the Indian Removal Act Justified?

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"Trail of Tears." UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Vol. 8. Detroit: UXL, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 22 Oct EMERSON, RALPH WALDO. "3rd Letter to Martin Van Buren." Letter to MARTIN VAN BUREN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Apr.-May MS. United States, Concord, Massuchesetts United States. Cong. Indian Removal Act of Cong. Bill. Washington D.C.: n.p., Web.. Federman, Maya, Thesia I. Garner, W. Boman Cutter IV, John Kiely, David Levine, Duane McGough, Marylyn McNillen, and Kathleen Short. "Publications." Diss Abstract. Publications. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct Martin, Mark. "Native Americans: A Forgotten People?" CBNNEWS.com. N.p., 7 July Web. 23 Oct cacd &type=doc&tei2id=PAM002 We couldn’t activate the URL to cite the source. Sorry! Sources