How did the Indian Removal Act and the resultant Trail of Tears create conflict and unity in the United States?
It created unity among those opposed to this act and unity among those in favor of this act. Obviously there was serious controversy between these two groups.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Removal_Act
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
Thanks you so much!!!!
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the subsequent Trail of Tears created both conflict and unity in the United States. To get a better understanding of how this happened, we can examine the history surrounding these events.
To begin, the Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, and it allowed the federal government to forcibly relocate Native American tribes living in the Southeast to lands west of the Mississippi River. This act was primarily motivated by the desire for white settlers to acquire Native American lands for agriculture and expansion.
The implementation of the Indian Removal Act and the subsequent Trail of Tears resulted in conflict on multiple levels. Firstly, the act generated significant opposition from both Native American tribes and sympathetic individuals who believed it was unjust and inhumane. This opposition led to legal battles and protests against the removal policy. For example, the Cherokee Nation took their case to the Supreme Court in the landmark Worcester v. Georgia case (1832), arguing that they were a sovereign nation and should not be subjected to removal. However, the court ruled in favor of the state of Georgia, supporting the removal policy.
Additionally, the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands resulted in widespread suffering and loss of life, particularly during the Trail of Tears. Thousands of Native Americans, mainly Cherokee, were forced to march long distances in harsh weather conditions to the designated Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). The journey was marked by extreme hardship, including lack of food, exposure to diseases, and physical abuse from military escort.
While conflict characterized much of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, it also led to a sense of unity among certain groups within the United States. Some individuals, including missionaries and humanitarians, opposed the removal policy and sympathized with the plight of Native Americans. These groups actively worked to provide assistance to the displaced tribes, offering material support, advocating for their rights, and documenting their experiences. This shared concern for the well-being and rights of Native Americans contributed to a sense of unity among these groups, as they worked together to navigate the challenges posed by the forced removal.
In summary, the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears created conflict and unity in the United States. The act sparked opposition and legal battles from Native American tribes and sympathetic individuals, and the forced removal resulted in suffering and loss of life. However, it also brought together groups advocating for the rights and well-being of Native Americans, fostering a sense of unity among these entities.