Native American Policy Under Andrew Jackson

“ How do we solve the “Indian Problem”?

What does the term “Indian Problem mean”?

The U.S. population is expanding and moving west into Native lands. U.S

What does this imply?

Glancing back at recent Native American History what three choices do the Natives have?

Black Hawk War US govt says all Native Americans must leave Illinois Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk refuses, saying no one can own land US settlers moved into village when they were away hunting After Sauk attacks, US troops drive out Indians

Two Points of View (aka “Join or Die”) Removal (Die if you don’t leave). Assimilation (Join if you want to try and stay).

Indian Removal Act President Jackson pushes Congress to force Indians to move west of the Mississippi Congress established Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) as the new Indian homeland US govt creates Bureau of Indian Affairs

“The policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.” Andrew Jackson 1. What can be inferred about Jackson’s attitudes by the use of the word generous? 2. How does Jackson propose to “save” the Red Man? 3. Compare how Jackson describes the government “offer” to how the Natives might react?

Assimilation What does this word mean? To adopt the ways of another culture : to fully become part of a different society, country, etc.

Five “Civilized Tribes” Cherokee Choctaw Creek Chickasaw Seminole What does the term “Civilized mean”?

Cherokee Indians Lived peacefully in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia and Tennessee Adopted culture of whites - wrote and spoke English Had own written language and newspaper Based their government on the U.S. Constitution Owned slaves

Cherokee Sue For Land Cherokee sued the government of Georgia for taking their land. Cherokee took legal action in Worcester vs. Georgia. Supreme Court Justice Marshall ruled: Georgia’s actions are illegal and that the Cherokee can stay.

President Andrew Jackson “Chief Justice John Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it.” 1)What is the job of the Supreme Court? 2)What is the job of the President? 3)What should happen if a government official refuses to do his job?

Trail of Tears Georgia govt. smashes in Cherokee printing press US troops move 18,000 Cherokee at gunpoint 800 miles from % of Cherokee died - most elderly and children

Trail of Tears Assignment Write a three entry diary about your experiences on the Trail of Tears and how your life was/will be affected by the move from Georgia to Oklahoma. Entry One - Before you leave (court case) Entry Two - On the Trail (struggles during the trip) Entry Three - When you arrive in Indian Territory (how life has changed) Detail earns points - cover emotion, fears, pain, successes with colorful adjectives and adverbs Due next class