what was so undemocratic about removal of native americans? i think it is undemocratic b/c native americans were people of the united states who hadn't questioned or fought leaders, but were forced to be moved anyway. anything to add?

I agree. The human rights of the Native Americans were violated.

Andrew Jackson and all of the other European Americans could be considered illegal immigrants. The Native Americans were here first.

The treatment of the Navajo people was also very shameful on the part of the US government in the 1860s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Walk_of_the_Navajo
Be sure to read the entire article.

The Navajos were eventually allowed to return, but their herds had been destroyed, and many of their people had died. Then, after the BIA began removing Navajo children from their homes to put them in the boarding schools, it's a wonder anything of the original language and culture still survives.

I agree Ms sue

The removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the 19th century was indeed seen by many as undemocratic. There are several aspects that contributed to this perception:

1. Violation of Treaties: The United States government entered into numerous treaties with Native American tribes, recognizing their sovereignty and establishing boundaries for their lands. However, these treaties were often disregarded or renegotiated under unfavorable terms for the Native Americans, leading to the forced removal.

2. Lack of Consent: The government's actions were carried out without the consent or input of the Native American tribes. Decisions to relocate tribes were made unilaterally, without allowing them to participate in the process or expressing their desires.

3. Use of Force: In some cases, military force was employed to evict Native American tribes from their lands. This included tactics such as intimidation, violence, and even warfare, which further undermined the democratic values of consent and fairness.

4. Loss of Culture and Identity: The forced removal resulted in the loss of cultural practices, traditions, and languages for many Native American tribes. They were forced to abandon their ancestral lands, disrupting their way of life and severing their connections to the places they considered sacred.

To better understand the reasons behind the removal of Native Americans and the impact it had on democracy, it is important to study the historical context, such as the expansionist policies and economic interests of the United States at that time. Additionally, examining primary sources, such as speeches, treaties, and personal narratives from both Native Americans and government officials, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the events and perspectives involved.