The Trial of Tears: Andrew Jackson's Motivation behind Native American Removal

The Trail of Tears: Andrew Jackson's Motivation behind Native American Removal

Introduction

Trail of tears is referred to a tragic part of American history, related to forced migration of some Native American Tribes. The Cherokee tribes refer this event as “trail where we cried” summarizes the pain and tabulations these tribes went through during 1830s. Native Americans were asked to move away from their homelands in Deep South of America. Other tribes included the Choctaw, the Creek, the Seminole, and the Chickasaw. Before 1830, few American Indians left their lands voluntarily but afterwards, from 1831 to 1839, Thousands of American Indians were exiled from their homes. U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, and made it a law, signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. According to this law, South Eastern American Indians left their lands. An area, known as Indian Territory, allocated to American Indians for their relocation. Troops, then, carried out President's orders.

By 1838, around 17,000 Cherokee left their rightful lands. According to historical statistics, initially a group of 3,000 left in June, a month with very harsh weather. Some got transported through two story flatboats towards Tennessee, Mississippi and Ohio. Other who migrated in fall, left on feet. All of these refugees, who left their lands forcefully, had to go through sleet, heavy rains, ice, snow and extreme weather. Result was the loss of thousands of lives, who could never make to the relocation regions. Some died of disease, some due to starvation, other could not born the arduous journey and gave up in the mid of travel.

Andrew Jackson was born in a needy family. His political career started when he was 30 years old, as he got elected to congress from Tennessee. Jackson's earned fame from the war of 1812, where he crushed Creek nation in the Horseshoe Bend battle also defeated British at New Orleans battle. He was known as “old hickory” because of his uncompromising personality. Jackson played a central role in history of mid 18th century.

Discussion

As discussed in the introduction, those lands which were occupied by American Indians, Cherokee held these lands long before arrival of Europeans. Cherokee was a sovereign nation in Georgia, as they have signed treaties with U.S. government. United States have extended towards the west by 1830s; eastern parts were still occupied by Native Americans. The five tribes, namely, Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole were settled in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. These tribes were adequately established in farming. West part of Mississippi was not good for farming; therefore, White American did not like those areas for settling. These settlers in western parts wanted that federal government should relocate them towards eastern parts, and natives towards western region. It was them who proposed the removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. President Jackson supported their cause, and Indian Removal Act was passed in 1830.

On May 28, 1830, Federal legislation endorsed this act, authorizing President Jackson to ...