Native American Tragedy Trail of Tears Native American Tragedy

Took a firm stand on the issue of Native American rights. President Jackson Took a firm stand on the issue of Native American rights.

Native Americans Since early colonial times, Native Americans have been forced off their lands by white settlers who pushed further west in search of available land.

Native Americans such as Pontiac & Tecumseh failed to stop the invasions of white settlers.

Southeast Nations Cherokee Creek Choctaw Chickasaw Seminole

“Live in peace with the white man”

Many tribes, especially the Cherokee, adopted American culture such as: farming, reading & writing, democratic gov’t. Under Jackson’s orders, Congress set aside land west of the Mississippi River. Indians were forced to move onto these reservations.

The Cherokee go to Court Unwilling to give up, Cherokee people sue to remain on their land: Worcester v. Georgia Supreme court rules in their favor! Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Cherokee people were protected by the US Constitution.

Jackson said the State of Georgia is allowed to move the NA’s because the federal government can not tell a state what to do. (Remember the Nullification Crisis?) Indian Removal Act soon follows!

Move West of the Mississippi                    

Indian Removal Act Congress passed this law that made the removal legal. Whites thought this region to be a vast desert. Over 15,000 Cherokees were forced from their homes and had to march hundreds of miles over several months. Trail of Tears: little food or shelter; thousand perished ~ about 25% of the Cherokee nation

Indian Removal Act Most Americans did not approve of it. Congressman Davy Crocket destroyed his political career by supporting the Cherokees He moved to the Texas territory & shows up in history one final time

4,000 Died… Mostly children!

4,000 Died… Mostly children!

Seminoles Resist Led by Chief Osceola they fought the US Army. Seminole War lasted from 1835 to 1842 1,500 US soldiers died Cost over $20 million Seminoles were finally defeated & forced to leave Florida Territory

After years of fighting, Chief Osceola wanted peace. He agreed to meet with a US General to discuss terms but was captured instead Later died in US Fort