Summarize how Native American's were removed from their land under the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren
During the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, Native Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands through a series of policies and actions.
Under Andrew Jackson's presidency, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed, which authorized the relocation of Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River. This act gave the president the power to negotiate removal treaties with Native American tribes, offering them compensation for their lands. However, if tribes refused to relocate voluntarily, they would be subjected to forced removal. This act resulted in the removal of thousands of Native Americans, particularly the "Five Civilized Tribes" of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole.
Jackson's administration pursued a policy of assimilation, viewing Native Americans as obstacles to westward expansion. The Cherokee Nation was particularly targeted, as they had adopted some aspects of European culture, including a written language and a system of government resembling that of the United States. Despite winning a landmark case in the Supreme Court (Worcester v. Georgia) that recognized their sovereignty and right to their lands, Jackson defied the ruling and proceeded with removal.
The forced removal of Native Americans became widely known as the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee were forcibly relocated to what is now known as Oklahoma, facing immense hardships during the journey. Thousands died due to exposure, disease, and lack of resources, leading to the death of around 4,000 individuals.
Under Martin Van Buren's presidency, the removal policies continued. Van Buren was less inclined to advocate for Native American rights, and the removal of tribes such as the Choctaw, Creek, and Chickasaw continued. These tribes were subjected to similar forced removals, resulting in further loss of lives and suffering.
Overall, the presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren witnessed the systematic removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands through policies and actions that prioritized westward expansion and assimilation over the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples.