Member-only story

Andrew Jackson and the American Indians: Shaping Native America's Destiny

Harry Cook

·15.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Sharp Knife: Andrew Jackson And The American Indians (Native America: Yesterday And Today)

4 min read · 1 week before

507 View Claps

88 Respond

Save

Listen

The Tumultuous Presidency of Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, served from 1829 to 1837. His presidency was marked by controversy and conflict, particularly in his dealings with Native American tribes. Jackson's policies towards Native Americans were influenced by his belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States was destined to expand westward across the continent. He saw Native American tribes as obstacles to this expansion and sought to remove them from their ancestral lands.

The Indian Removal Act

In 1830, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law. This act authorized the federal government to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes to exchange their lands in the East for lands west of the Mississippi River. Many tribes resisted removal, but they were eventually forced to comply. The Indian Removal Act resulted in the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands.

Sharp Knife: Andrew Jackson and the American Indians (Native America: Yesterday and Today)

by Jack L. Grossman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2365 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	262 pages

The Trail of Tears

The most infamous chapter in the history of Indian removal is the Trail of Tears. In 1838, the US government forced the Cherokee people to leave their homes in Georgia and march to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). The journey was long and arduous, and many Cherokee died along the way. The Trail of Tears became a symbol of the suffering and injustice faced by Native Americans during this period.

Native American Resilience

Despite the adversity they faced, Native Americans showed great resilience and determination. They adapted to their new surroundings, preserved their cultures, and fought for their rights. Today, there are over 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, with a total population of over 5.2 million people. Native Americans have made significant contributions to American society, in areas such as art, music, literature, and politics.

Andrew Jackson: A Complex Legacy

Andrew Jackson was a complex figure who left a lasting impact on American history. His policies towards Native Americans were controversial, but they were also in line with the prevailing beliefs of his time. Jackson's legacy is a reminder of the complex and often tragic relationship between the United States and Native America.

The presidency of Andrew Jackson was a watershed moment in Native American history. The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears resulted in the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. Despite the adversity they faced, Native Americans showed great resilience and determination. Today, Native Americans continue to play an important role in American society, and their history is a reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Sharp Knife: Andrew Jackson and the American Indians (Native America: Yesterday and Today)

by Jack L. Grossman

5 out of 5