In the Name of Civilization : Jackson, Forsyth and the Indian Removal Act of 1830
Abstract
The intent of this paper is to discuss Andrew Jackson?s controversial actions and policies affecting Native Americans, most notably the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This act required all Native American tribes east of the Mississippi river to move west into designated frontier territories. The native migration would allow the white Americans to possess new farmlands to increase the union?s crop output. White settlers supported the act unanimously due to the promise of state improvement, but many natives would claim that the act was either a great shame or a declaration of war. This paper will examine Jackson?s rise to the presidency and how Jackson?s stance on the Native American issue increased his popularity amongst southern whites. This paper will also examine the correspondence of Fort Armstrong Indian Agent, Thomas Forsyth. The content of these letters help to provide a rationale for the Jackson?s course of action. Although it is unknown if Jackson ever met Forsyth, the information contained in Forsyth?s correspondence reflect contemporary concern with the ?Indian problem.? Confrontations from forcibly removed tribes and conflicts such as the Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War will be addressed as well. Finally, this paper will examine contemporary praises and/or criticisms of Jackson?s Indian removal policies provided by contemporary historians.
Subject
United States. Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Forsyth, Thomas, 1771-1833--Correspondence.
Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845--Views on Indians.
Indian Removal, 1813-1903.
Indians of North America--Relocation.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/8524Part of
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Strategic middlemen: ?b Monongahela, Mohawk, and Meskwaki settlements in a trade landscape
Bremer, Emma Elizabeth (2012)North America was home to a vast set of trade networks both prehistorically and historically. In several instances key passages within these networks were controlled by societies who acted as middlemen. This position allowed ... -
Living in Plain Sight: The Winnebago Struggle To Remain In Wisconsin During the Removal of 1863
Ferries, Craig H. (2010-05-20)The year of 1863 set the precedent on how the United States government, the State of Wisconsin and many of the local citizens dealt with the Winnebagos. The Winnebagos that attempted to remain in Wisconsin or those that ... -
Setting a New Course in Native American Protest Movements: The Menominee Warrior Society’s Takeover of the Alexian Brothers Novitiate in 1975
Lavender, Rachel (2017-12)In the 1960s and 1970s, the United States experienced multiple Native American protest movements. These movements came from two different methods of protest: direct action, or grassroots tactics, and long-term political ...