There are 3 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #3 by Helium's members.
says that the Indians must be treated well and that a control must be exercised on the issue of the government and people's dealings with the Indians. He goes on to say that it will benefit the Declaration of Independence if the nation would incorporate the Indians into its policies though peaceful ways without having the prejudices on their crimes or their virtues.
Andrew Jackson in a letter to John C Calhoun on August 25, 1820 stated that the only way to achieve peaceful treaties with the Indians was to treat them well and peacefully and humanely as possible. This was truly ironic considering Jackson's dealings with the Indians. After defeating the Creeks in the War of 1812, and forcing them to give up two-thirds of their land, Jackson preceded to build Ft. Jackson on the Hickory Ground, the most sacred Creek land. Another episode that indeed proves Jackson's irony shows the Indian Removal Act of 1830 passed by the Twenty-First Congress of the United States of America and signed into Law by President Jackson.
All of these events described above showed the changing US government policy toward Native Americans during the years 1775-1825. The government which started out as a protective establishment for the Indians slowly changed to accommodate the needs of the white people and white industry mainly due to the economic pressure and the population boom as well as the flush of new immigrants and the gain of new territory but also because of the White superiority mentality and attitude the US possessed. This changing attitude soon led to intermediate opposition and then led to all out opposition against the Indians. Many Indians tried peaceful by the Us laws and rights granted to them to stay on their land but was forced out. One example of the Indians trying to stay was the Cherokees tried to claim status as an independent republic within Georgia, but Chief Justice John Marshall denied their claim in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) but instead said that they were a "domestic dependent nation". Then in 1832 Marshall clarified in Worcester v. Georgia that the Cherokees were a "distinct" political community entitled to federal protection from tampering by Georgia. When the Indians had petitioned President Jackson about their situation, Jackson commended that he would not interfere with the lawful prerogatives of the state of Georgia.
Even still, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Indians should stay where they were as with many other cases, but Jackson ignored that ruling and forced them to leave. If asked what did Jackson think about these Supreme Court rulings? To quote him: "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it." Basically saying that "I don't really care what you say, I want the Indians out." This process was started by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the events that led to the "Trail of Tears" in which Indian tribes were moved to Oklahoma. Other Indians like the proud Seminoles refused to leave their land and then running into the Everglades and began the very costly and tiring 8 year war against the US army. Another event that shows the change of US interaction with the Indians was the Bozeman trial which was a major area for many North Plains Indian Wars. All these events put together and compared shows how much the US policy has changed from its beginning stages of protecting people into more aggressively kicking Indians out of their lands to even more aggressively bloody Indian wars. These aggression was contradictory to the US rhetoric of their enlistment ideas, Declaration of independence and the image of the "good" and benevolent America.
Learn more about this author, Ebey Soman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
He is seen everywhere: represented by statues, paintings, history books and even in our wallets. He is Andrew Jackson, the
His aged face with white hair is printed on our $20 bill. With every $20 spent, he became a constant reminder of the forced
by Ebey Soman
The United States government had an wavering opinion regarding the Native Americans and their rights, which altered frequently.
Add your voice
Know something about Andrew Jackson and his role in the genocide of the Native Americans?
We want to hear your view.
Write now!
Featured Partner
Private Sector Solutions Network
Private Sector Solutions Network is a group of leaders working together to improve the world by developing and implem...more
hide