Native Americans And The Indian Removal Act Essay

The Indian Removal Act, which was passed by Congress in 1830, completely changed the path for the future in multiple aspects. In determining what impact this event still has on our country today, one must start by analyzing the relationships between Native Americans, the United States government, and the common white settler. Additionally, one must analyze how the removal of these tribes affected not only them, but the white settlers. Socially, Native Americans were viewed as no more than objects in the way of what the Americans viewed as rightfully theirs. Culturally, Native Americans had to adapt to environmental and societal differences, therefore gradually losing their own cultures. Politically, the United States government had to enforce their power over Indian resistance. Clearly, the Indian Removal Act had social, cultural and political repercussions which had both immediate and long-term impacts. It is evident that the whites in North America viewed themselves as superior to the Native Americans. It was apparent from early settlement, that the relationship between the two would not be easy. Battles regularly occurred between them, and animosity only continued to grow as the United States became stronger as a nation. It was eventually decided by the government, that when solving an issue with Indian tribes, they would be treated as a separate nation, and a treaty would be necessary to come to any agreement (Kennedy 258). Although this was said, it was…