1. Indian Removal Acts

2. 1. Why Remove Indians Jackson’s background as Indian fighter
Fought Creeks and Seminoles during and after War of 1812
Many Americans agreed with his views regarding natives
Natives should be removed to protect civilized Americans

3. 2. The FIVE Peaceful Tribes
Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw
Cherokee in particular – created Indian alphabet, adopted farming, and changed culture to reflect whites.
Push to remove them remained
Wanted their land, not protection from them

4. 3. Removal Agreements
Federal representatives sign series of illegitimate treaties with natives
Not official representatives of natives or the gov’t.
required all natives to leave, not just the ones who signed.

5. 4. Cherokees Challenge Treaties in Court
Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia
Worcester vs. Georgia
Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokees – treaties illegitimate
Jackson refused to recognize court’s ruling
“John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.”
Jackson signed hasty agreement with small minority of natives.
Cherokees handed over all their land for $5 Million
Forced them to leave at bayonet point

6. 5. The Trail of Tears
Majority of the Cherokee nation forced to march by foot in middle of the winter
From Georgia to “Indian Territory” (modern day Oklahoma)
Thousands either starved or froze to death
“Indian Territory” in the Great American Dessert
Nobody wanted to live there anyway.

7. In the End:
Seminoles of Florida – ONLY natives that successfully resisted Indian Removal
Chief Osceola led gorilla tactics and retreated into Everglades.
Collectively, all native tribes gave up 100 million acres for $68million