Indian Removal ActsIndian Removal Acts

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Presentation created by Robert MartinezPrimary Content Source: The Story of US by Joy HakimImages as cited.

Between 1830 and 1850 an estimated 100,000 Between 1830 and 1850 an estimated 100,000 Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and Seminoles were forced from their homelands to Seminoles were forced from their homelands to

the new “Indian Territory” beyond the the new “Indian Territory” beyond the Mississippi.Mississippi.

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Their massive eviction is one of the sadder Their massive eviction is one of the sadder chapters in American history, the price exacted chapters in American history, the price exacted by a seemingly endless stream of land-hungry by a seemingly endless stream of land-hungry

white settlers. white settlers.

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President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act of 1830 ultimately added 100 million acres Act of 1830 ultimately added 100 million acres

of land to the public domain.of land to the public domain.

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While most Indians went peacefully, the While most Indians went peacefully, the Seminoles fought back.Seminoles fought back.

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In 1835 U.S. troops arrived in Florida after a 3 In 1835 U.S. troops arrived in Florida after a 3 year grace period had run out. No Seminoles year grace period had run out. No Seminoles

had left during that period.had left during that period.

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Led by Chief Osceola, the Seminoles ambushed Led by Chief Osceola, the Seminoles ambushed an Army unit north of present-day Tampa.an Army unit north of present-day Tampa.

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In late 1837 the Army used a truce flag to lure In late 1837 the Army used a truce flag to lure Osceola into a camp near St. Augustine. He was Osceola into a camp near St. Augustine. He was captured and sent in Charleston, SC, where he captured and sent in Charleston, SC, where he

died the following year.died the following year.

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Chief Osceola

Four years later, the Seminole quit fighting, Four years later, the Seminole quit fighting, about 3,000 Indians and blacks were sent to about 3,000 Indians and blacks were sent to

Oklahoma, while a few hundred disappeared Oklahoma, while a few hundred disappeared into the Everglades.into the Everglades.

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The Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws The Creeks, Chickasaws, and Choctaws migrated voluntarily. Between 1831 and 1833, migrated voluntarily. Between 1831 and 1833,

about 15,000 Choctaws made the long trek from about 15,000 Choctaws made the long trek from Mississippi and western Alabama to the Indian Mississippi and western Alabama to the Indian

territory.territory.

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But the Cherokees were a different story. They But the Cherokees were a different story. They held out until the deadline for leaving had come held out until the deadline for leaving had come and gone, trying to prove that they could adapt and gone, trying to prove that they could adapt

to white culture. to white culture.

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Their 800-mile journey in the fall and winter of Their 800-mile journey in the fall and winter of 1838-39 has become known as the Trail of 1838-39 has become known as the Trail of

Tears.Tears.

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By 1820, after dozens of treaties, Cherokee land By 1820, after dozens of treaties, Cherokee land was down to 10 percent of its original size.was down to 10 percent of its original size.

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The Cherokee at first tried to resist moving off The Cherokee at first tried to resist moving off their lands. By 1830, they had their own their lands. By 1830, they had their own

newspaper, printed in both English and a newspaper, printed in both English and a written form of Cherokee developed by written form of Cherokee developed by

Sequoyah.Sequoyah.

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Many of them were partially white and lived in Many of them were partially white and lived in small houses with white picket fences, some small houses with white picket fences, some operated plantations and even owned slaves.operated plantations and even owned slaves.

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Delivering a speech in New York, Cherokee spokesman Delivering a speech in New York, Cherokee spokesman John RidgeJohn Ridge said, “ said, “You asked us to throw off the hunter You asked us to throw off the hunter and warrior state – we did so. You asked us to form a and warrior state – we did so. You asked us to form a republican government – we did so. You asked us to republican government – we did so. You asked us to

cultivate the earth and learn the mechanical arts – we cultivate the earth and learn the mechanical arts – we did so. You asked us to cast away our idols and did so. You asked us to cast away our idols and

worship your God – we did soworship your God – we did so.”.”

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Cherokee John Ridge

That same year, the Supreme Court rules that That same year, the Supreme Court rules that the Indian Removal Act’s against the Cherokee the Indian Removal Act’s against the Cherokee were unconstitutional. Yet Jackson refused to were unconstitutional. Yet Jackson refused to enforce the ruling of the highest court in the enforce the ruling of the highest court in the

land.land.

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Supreme Court Chief JusticeJohn Marshall

In 1835, 20 Cherokees singed a treaty, agreeing In 1835, 20 Cherokees singed a treaty, agreeing their nation would move in exchange for 5 their nation would move in exchange for 5

million dollars. But the vast majority of million dollars. But the vast majority of Cherokees stayed put.Cherokees stayed put.

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Finally in 1838, soldiers began going door to Finally in 1838, soldiers began going door to door. Individuals were given no time to collect door. Individuals were given no time to collect

possessions or locate family members. possessions or locate family members.

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Those who resisted were beaten or put in Those who resisted were beaten or put in chains, the old and ill were pushed out of their chains, the old and ill were pushed out of their

homes at bayonet point, women were molested. homes at bayonet point, women were molested.

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“ “I fought through the Civil War and have seen I fought through the Civil War and have seen men…slaughtered by the thousands, but the men…slaughtered by the thousands, but the

Cherokee removal was the cruelest work I ever Cherokee removal was the cruelest work I ever knewknew,” wrote one soldier.,” wrote one soldier.

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Some were moved west in the summer, but Some were moved west in the summer, but drought and sickness took a toll. Most were drought and sickness took a toll. Most were

allowed to wait until fall.allowed to wait until fall.

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Heavy rains slowed their progress, and then Heavy rains slowed their progress, and then came a bitter winter. Ice floes on the Mississippi came a bitter winter. Ice floes on the Mississippi

River bogged down some groups for weeks.River bogged down some groups for weeks.

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Women tried to gather edible plants from the Women tried to gather edible plants from the forest to supplement rations of white flour and forest to supplement rations of white flour and old salt pork, yet many plants were unfamiliar.old salt pork, yet many plants were unfamiliar.

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Deaths from malnutrition and exposure were Deaths from malnutrition and exposure were common. Most families lost at least one member. common. Most families lost at least one member. In all, some 4,000 Cherokees died, nearly a fifth In all, some 4,000 Cherokees died, nearly a fifth

of their entire population.of their entire population.

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