Happy Birthday, America! You’re 50!

James Monroe In 1817, President James Monroe wanted the people of America to act as “one great family with a common interest.” He wanted the country’s citizens to have a strong sense of nationalism-or pride in their country.

1817 Spain still owns Florida and a large region from Texas to California. Escaped slaves would run into Florida and find homes with the Seminole Indians. The Seminole sometimes attacked settlers in Georgia who had taken over Seminole lands. Spain did little to stop these attacks.

1817 President Monroe sent Andrew Jackson, hero of the War of 1812, to stop the Indian raids. Jackson attacked and seized two of their forts. The Spanish could not defend themselves against Jackson. In 1819, Spain signed a treaty and agreed to sell Florida to the United States for $5 million.

$1 Million $1 Million $1 Million $1 Million $1 Million

1823 President Monroe was worried that other countries like Russia and Britain would try to take over Spain’s weakened empire. To protect America, President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine. This was a statement to other countries warning them to stay away from America or else!

The People’s President The first 6 Presidents the United States had came from wealthy families and lived in either Virginia or Massachusetts. The 7 th President was the son of poor pioneers. This was a sign the country was changing.

Jackson did not go to college. Jackson taught himself law. Military leader who won the Battle of New Orleans Head of a new political party called the Democrats. Campaign slogan – “Adams can write, but Jackson can fight.”

Democrats Jackson’s democrats urged everyone to vote. He worked hard to get voter registration out to people on the prairie and the backwoods-his people. He promised, “Equal rights for all, special privileges for none.” Americans praised him as the “man of the people”

20,000 supporters poured into Washington, D.C. on his inauguration day. There was a party on the lawn bigger than any Washington had ever seen, but this was the People’s Day and the People’s President and the People would rule.

Many of the rich and educated politician were appalled at the scene. They were sure the country would be ruined in the hands of such common people.

What would they have thought of us?

Trail of Tears Andrew Jackson was a pioneer man that lived on the frontier his whole life. He fought in 1812 and saw the ferocity with which Tecumseh fought at Tippecanoe. He protected the citizens in Georgia from the Seminoles in Florida that attacked them. It is no surprise to learn that Andrew Jackson was not interested in protecting Native American rights.

American Indian Removal 1820’s -1830’s many people were moving west into territories that belonged to five major American Indian groups: ▫Cherokee ▫Creek ▫Chickasaw ▫Choctaw ▫Seminole

American Indian Removal These early settlers were looking for farmland and gold. Many of these settlers move into Native American territories. The Native Americans protested as the settlers took over their lands. President Jackson supported the settlers.

American Indian Removal The President encouraged Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act. This Act would give the President the power to move the Indians to the land west of the Mississippi River. He would move them into Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma.

Indian Removal Act The Tribes resisted and fought for their land. After several years of battles, they were defeated by the United States Army and forced to move west. The Cherokee tried to keep their land by going to court. The case went to the Supreme court.

Indian Removal Act The Supreme Court ruled with the Cherokee and said they had the right to keep their land. Jackson refused to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling making it useless.

Trail of Tears 1838 President Martin Van Buren ordered United States soldiers to force the Cherokee to leave their land. The terrible 800-mile journey is know as the “Trail of Tears.”

By 1839, the Trail of Tears had ended. 3, 750 Cherokee died along the journey from disease and bad weather.