Abuse of Power: Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830”,
Prof Rogers
HIST 2003
“Abuse of Power: Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830”, Alfred A. Cave This article concentrates on the seventh president of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson, and the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by forcing relocation to west of the Mississippi River. The removal of the Native Americans was to be voluntary, but it was nothing of the sort. In 1829, President Jackson stated to Congress about the Indian removal that, “This emigration should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, and seek a home in a distant land.” What he said and what he did were on the contrary. The reason for President Jackson’s removal of the Native Americans was that many saw the Native Americans as uncivilized nations unable to adjust into the American culture. He repudiated his previous statement to Congress and said, “Doubtless, it will be painful for them to leave the graves of their forefathers, but what do they do more than our ancestors did or our children are now doing?” Author Alfred A. Cave did an outstanding job on explaining the details and deceit of President Andrew Jackson and the government in regards to the Indian Removal Act of 1830. It was apparent that the author was for the Native Americans and did not agree with the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and how it transpired. He portrayed that the President felt that the Native Americans were a threat to the government security. The author also clearly explained that even though President Jackson and his supporters continually assured the people that were unsure about the removal of the Native Americans, plenty of examples were given to where that was just the opposite. Bottom line is that Andrew Jackson did not want to deal with anyone that acted outside of his own culture. Because of his actions, thousands of people died during relocation to present day Oklahoma. These people were promised
HIST 2003
“Abuse of Power: Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830”, Alfred A. Cave This article concentrates on the seventh president of the United States of America, Andrew Jackson, and the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by forcing relocation to west of the Mississippi River. The removal of the Native Americans was to be voluntary, but it was nothing of the sort. In 1829, President Jackson stated to Congress about the Indian removal that, “This emigration should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, and seek a home in a distant land.” What he said and what he did were on the contrary. The reason for President Jackson’s removal of the Native Americans was that many saw the Native Americans as uncivilized nations unable to adjust into the American culture. He repudiated his previous statement to Congress and said, “Doubtless, it will be painful for them to leave the graves of their forefathers, but what do they do more than our ancestors did or our children are now doing?” Author Alfred A. Cave did an outstanding job on explaining the details and deceit of President Andrew Jackson and the government in regards to the Indian Removal Act of 1830. It was apparent that the author was for the Native Americans and did not agree with the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and how it transpired. He portrayed that the President felt that the Native Americans were a threat to the government security. The author also clearly explained that even though President Jackson and his supporters continually assured the people that were unsure about the removal of the Native Americans, plenty of examples were given to where that was just the opposite. Bottom line is that Andrew Jackson did not want to deal with anyone that acted outside of his own culture. Because of his actions, thousands of people died during relocation to present day Oklahoma. These people were promised
Cited: Cave, Alfred A.. "Abuse of Power: Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal Act of 1830." The Historian. South Florida: Wiley-Blackwell, 2003. 201-209. Print.