Andrew Jackson’s harsh actions towards Native Americans remain as a notorious part of his presidency. The United States desired to expand westward, but Indians living in the South presented a formidable roadblock. With integration proving to be too difficult, Jackson proposed the Indian Removal Act that passed in Congress in 1830. The act allowed Jackson to trade federal territory with Indians for their land. Jackson’s First and Second Annual Message revealed his attitudes towards Native Americans residing in needed land. By presenting the seventh President’s cold and disingenuous treatment of natives for the country’s self-interest, these documents displayed how Jackson envisioned America’s dominance to Indian nations. Andrew Jackson’s First
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He questioned why the Indians deserved to have the land any more than American Christians and asked, “Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous” (5). Before he called leaving the graves as “unjust”, but, in 1830, he believed America no longer should accommodate their traditions. Jackson firmly thought that America was righteous in the country’s treatment of the “red man”. Finally, Jackson proclaimed when the General Government removes Indian titles to the needed land, their duties “in relation to the States and the Indians within their limits are at an end. The Indians may leave the State or not, as they choose.” (6). Jackson essentially allowed State governments to act as they please with the remaining Indians in the acquired land. Rather than offering them protection, Jackson left the fate of the Indians to the States, which in turn led to forced emigration. Jackson found that relations between Indians and individual states should not be interfered further by the General Government, resulting in taken land and State pressure for the Indians. Andrew Jackson’s First and Second Annual Message demonstrated the President’s view of American superiority to the Indian. With their traditions ignored and way of life shattered, the Indians suffered, powerless to America’s new strength. Jackson’s Indian Removal Act eventually led to the Trail of Tears where thousands of Indians died in their forced journey west. America's thirst for westward expansion had a devastating cost for many Native
He questioned why the Indians deserved to have the land any more than American Christians and asked, “Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous” (5). Before he called leaving the graves as “unjust”, but, in 1830, he believed America no longer should accommodate their traditions. Jackson firmly thought that America was righteous in the country’s treatment of the “red man”. Finally, Jackson proclaimed when the General Government removes Indian titles to the needed land, their duties “in relation to the States and the Indians within their limits are at an end. The Indians may leave the State or not, as they choose.” (6). Jackson essentially allowed State governments to act as they please with the remaining Indians in the acquired land. Rather than offering them protection, Jackson left the fate of the Indians to the States, which in turn led to forced emigration. Jackson found that relations between Indians and individual states should not be interfered further by the General Government, resulting in taken land and State pressure for the Indians. Andrew Jackson’s First and Second Annual Message demonstrated the President’s view of American superiority to the Indian. With their traditions ignored and way of life shattered, the Indians suffered, powerless to America’s new strength. Jackson’s Indian Removal Act eventually led to the Trail of Tears where thousands of Indians died in their forced journey west. America's thirst for westward expansion had a devastating cost for many Native