Chapter 6, Section 4 Indian Removal p Despite a Supreme Court ruling in their favor, Native Americans of the Southeast are forced to move.

Why did President Jackson use force to remove Indians from the Southeast? 6.4 Section Focus Question

Native Americans of the Southeast 100,000 Native Americans live east of the Mississippi River when Jackson becomes president in Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, & Seminole. The Cherokee adopt many white customs: – Farming – Trade – Schools – Some converted to Christianity – Had a written constitution Sequoyah creates a written alphabet for the Cherokee language Sequoyah - developed Cherokee alphabet (see p ) Many Cherokee adapted white ways.

CONFLICT OVER LAND Why did government leaders want to remove Native Americans from the Southeast? Question for Discussion:  They stood in the way of westward expansion.  White farmers wanted their fertile land for growing cotton.  They weren’t white.

Conflict Over Land U.S. government hopes Native American tribe’s move West will be voluntary (done willingly). - Georgia passes laws in 1825 & 1827 forcing Creek & Cherokee tribes to give up their lands. Led by their Chief John Ross, the Cherokee sue the state of Georgia – In case Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Georgia law had no force in Cherokee territory. Andrew Jackson’s response: "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." Cherokee Chief John Ross

The Trail of Tears 1838: U.S. Army forces 16,000 Cherokee from their lands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina & Georgia – Sent to the “Indian Territory” (modern day Oklahoma) – Over a ¼ of the Cherokee die on the trip. – Of 4,000 that die most are women, children, the sick, or the elderly.

Heartbreak of the Cherokee Chief John Ross John Ridge Major Ridge Elias Boudinot

Indian Removal Act (1830) Not only the Cherokee were forced off their land... – Chickasaw – Choctaw – Creek – Seminole – Fox – Sauk

Trail of Tears Shadow of the Owl By Cherokee artist John Guthrie

Does Oklahoma honor Native Americans?

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK “Sacred Rain Arrow” (Photos taken 2010)

Why did President Jackson use force to remove Indians from the Southeast? 6.4 Section Focus Question They didn’t leave voluntarily. They were in the way of our move west. Whites wanted their excellent farmland (and gold). Jackson used force because American citizens wanted them out.