The Indian Removal Act of 1830
Evaluate the rationale that President Jackson used in the removal of the Native Americans from east of the Mississippi River. Did the removal have the intended impact?
Identify the responsibilities given to the President under the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Compare Jackson’s actions toward Native Americans in the context of his First Inaugural Address with the path of events during the Trail of Tears.
Determine if the removal of the Native Americans from east of the Mississippi River violate the principles found in the Declaration of Independence?
Sample Answer
Jackson’s Indian Removal and its Consequences: A Multifaceted Analysis
1. Rationale for Removal:
President Jackson’s rationale for the removal of Native Americans was multifaceted and rested on several overlapping arguments:
- Economic Interest: He believed expanding white settlement into Native American lands would benefit the American economy and facilitate westward expansion.
- State Sovereignty: He prioritized the rights of individual states over those of Native American tribes, viewing them as autonomous nations within the borders of existing states.
- Cultural Assimilation: Some believed integration into white society would benefit Native Americans, despite the cultural destruction it entailed.