Writing Assistance Congressional Legislation— the Indian Removal Act of 1830

Using the Spartan Writing Protocol (SWP)

Step 1: Read the task/question carefully.

Step 2: Circle key words and underline key concepts.

Step 1&2: Use active reading strategies to understand the task.

Theme: Government (Congressional Legislation) Throughout United States history, Congress has passed legislation to address important political, social, or economic issues. These laws have often had a significant impact on American society.

Task: Select two laws passed by the United States Congress and for each Discuss the historical circumstances that led to the passage of the law Discuss the historical circumstances that led to the passage of the law Discuss the impacts of the law on American society Discuss the impacts of the law on American society

Describe means “give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events.”

Discuss means “examine and talk about all sides of a subject or issue in a carefully organized manner.”

Step 3: Read the passage carefully

Step 4: Take notes that respond to the task/question

Steps 3 & 4: Collect information and record it on a graphic organizer.

Congressional Legislation Indian Removal Act (1830)

Historical Circumstances (1/5) Georgia’s legislature started passing laws to move Native American tribes out of the way of white settlement to land further west.Georgia’s legislature started passing laws to move Native American tribes out of the way of white settlement to land further west. There were questions as to whether a state could pass laws impacting Indians as there were legal precedents established that Indian tribes were to be treated like foreign nations. This meant only the federal government could make treaties.There were questions as to whether a state could pass laws impacting Indians as there were legal precedents established that Indian tribes were to be treated like foreign nations. This meant only the federal government could make treaties.

Historical Circumstances (2/5) While these questions swirled around, President Andrew Jackson asked Congress— controlled by his party, the Jacksonian Democrats—to propose a bill authorizing the president to make treaties with Indian tribes, granting them federal land west of the Mississippi River and arranging for removal out of the way of white settlement. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President in 1830.While these questions swirled around, President Andrew Jackson asked Congress— controlled by his party, the Jacksonian Democrats—to propose a bill authorizing the president to make treaties with Indian tribes, granting them federal land west of the Mississippi River and arranging for removal out of the way of white settlement. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President in 1830.

Historical Circumstances (3/5) Removal was challenged in the court system.Removal was challenged in the court system. The first case was a loss. In Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, the Cherokee tried to argue that U. S. laws didn’t apply in their territory because they were a foreign nation.The first case was a loss. In Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, the Cherokee tried to argue that U. S. laws didn’t apply in their territory because they were a foreign nation. The Court threw the case out because the Cherokee were a dependent nation, living under the guidance of the U. S. government.The Court threw the case out because the Cherokee were a dependent nation, living under the guidance of the U. S. government.

Historical Circumstances (4/5) The second case, Worcester v. Georgia seemed like a victory.The second case, Worcester v. Georgia seemed like a victory. Christian missionaries living among the Native American (one of which was Worcester) were needed a license issued by the state of Georgia (and none were issued). Worcester was arrested and convicted for violating this law.Christian missionaries living among the Native American (one of which was Worcester) were needed a license issued by the state of Georgia (and none were issued). Worcester was arrested and convicted for violating this law.

Historical Circumstances (5/5) The Supreme Court—under Chief Justice John Marshall—agreed that any Georgia laws dealing with Native Americans were unconstitutional because only the federal government could deal with them.The Supreme Court—under Chief Justice John Marshall—agreed that any Georgia laws dealing with Native Americans were unconstitutional because only the federal government could deal with them.

SPECIFIC impact (1/3) The Court’s ruling applied to the Indian Removal Act, but President Jackson ignored it. He famously said that the Chief Justice could enforce his ruling himself.The Court’s ruling applied to the Indian Removal Act, but President Jackson ignored it. He famously said that the Chief Justice could enforce his ruling himself. He began using federal resources to remove Native Americans.He began using federal resources to remove Native Americans.

SPECIFIC impact (2/3) First he had the executive branch make treaties with the different groups giving up their land in exchange for federally owned land on the frontier (in present day Oklahoma).First he had the executive branch make treaties with the different groups giving up their land in exchange for federally owned land on the frontier (in present day Oklahoma). Then he used federal troops to arrange and, when necessary, forcibly move any groups who refused to leave.Then he used federal troops to arrange and, when necessary, forcibly move any groups who refused to leave.

SPECIFIC impact (3/3) The Trail of Tears was the forced migration Native American tribes. Along this long march, a quarter of them died.The Trail of Tears was the forced migration Native American tribes. Along this long march, a quarter of them died. This set a precedent for the treatment of Native Americans by the United States government. Those who refused to assimilate would be moved out of the way of white settlement to lands further west.This set a precedent for the treatment of Native Americans by the United States government. Those who refused to assimilate would be moved out of the way of white settlement to lands further west.

Congressional Legislation—the Indian Removal Act of 1830 Law Historical Circumstances SPECIFIC long-term effect Indian Removal Act (1830) Georgia’s legislature started passing laws to move Native American tribes out of the way of white settlement to land further west. There were questions as to whether a state could pass laws impacting Indians as there were legal precedents established that Indian tribes were to be treated like foreign nations. This meant only the federal government could make treaties. While these questions swirled around, President Andrew Jackson asked Congress—controlled by his party, the Jacksonian Democrats—to propose a bill authorizing the president to make treaties with Indian tribes, granting them federal land west of the Mississippi River and arranging for removal out of the way of white settlement. The Indian Removal Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President in Removal was challenged in the court system. The first case was a loss. In Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, the Cherokee tried to argue that U. S. laws didn’t apply in their territory because they were a foreign nation. The first case was a loss. In Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, the Cherokee tried to argue that U. S. laws didn’t apply in their territory because they were a foreign nation. The Court threw the case out because the Cherokee were a dependent nation, living under the guidance of the U. S. government. The Court threw the case out because the Cherokee were a dependent nation, living under the guidance of the U. S. government. The second case, Worcester v. Georgia seemed like a victory. The second case, Worcester v. Georgia seemed like a victory. Christian missionaries living among the Native American (one of which was Worcester) were needed a license issued by the state of Georgia (and none were issued). Worcester was arrested and convicted for violating this law. Christian missionaries living among the Native American (one of which was Worcester) were needed a license issued by the state of Georgia (and none were issued). Worcester was arrested and convicted for violating this law. The Supreme Court—under Chief Justice John Marshall—agreed that any Georgia laws dealing with Native Americans were unconstitutional because only the federal government could deal with them. The Supreme Court—under Chief Justice John Marshall—agreed that any Georgia laws dealing with Native Americans were unconstitutional because only the federal government could deal with them. The Court’s ruling applied to the Indian Removal Act, but President Jackson ignored it. He famously said that the Chief Justice could enforce his ruling himself. He began using federal resources to remove Native Americans. First he had the executive branch make treaties with the different groups giving up their land in exchange for federally owned land on the frontier (in present day Oklahoma). First he had the executive branch make treaties with the different groups giving up their land in exchange for federally owned land on the frontier (in present day Oklahoma). Then he used federal troops to arrange and, when necessary, forcibly move any groups who refused to leave. Then he used federal troops to arrange and, when necessary, forcibly move any groups who refused to leave. The Trail of Tears was the forced migration Native American tribes. Along this long march, a quarter of them died. The Trail of Tears was the forced migration Native American tribes. Along this long march, a quarter of them died. This set a precedent for the treatment of Native Americans by the United States government. Those who refused to assimilate would be moved out of the way of white settlement to lands further west.

Step 5: Complete the Evidence and Analysis boxes on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT)

Step 6: Write your claim.

Throughout United States history, Congress has passed legislation to address important political, social, or economic issues. These laws have often had a significant impact on American society. One important piece of legislation that had a major impact was the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Step 7: Determine the relevancy of your evidence in supporting your claim.

Step 8: Complete a concluding sentence box on your Spartan Writing Template (SWT).

Step 9: Write your response (using the Spartan Writing Template [SWT])

Step 10: Self-Assess your paragraph using the Spartan Writing Rubric