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What Was The Impact Of The Indian Removal Act

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The trail where they cried. One of four Native Americans died during the forced march to new Indian Territory. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act which said that all the Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River had to move west of the Mississippi River. This affected the 5 tribes which were called; Cherokee, Seminole, Chickasaw, Creeks, and the Choctaw tribes. The reason President Jackson signed this act was to make the lands available for white settlers. By signing the Indian Removal Act, President Jackson negatively impacted the health and welfare of the Native Americans. They had to adopt a “civilized” western culture, were forced to march to the new Indian Territory, and are still faced …show more content…

On May 28, 1830, Jackson signed the Removal Act, which “authorized the president to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi River in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders.” (Legends, 1) As incentives to the Indians to sign the Removal treaties, the government promised financial assistance for relocation and the protection of the United States government forever. (Indian, 2) In 1831, the Choctaw were the first to leave under threat of United States Army invasion. They were forced to leave on foot without any supplies or food with some in chains. Thousands of Choctaw died. (Trail, 3) In 1835, the Treaty of New Echota was signed which forced the Cherokee to be removed during the Fall and Winter of 1838 and 1839. Approximately 4,000 Cherokees died. (Legends, 2) In 1836, the Creeks were also forced from their land. 3,500 Creeks did not survive the journey. This forced march of more than 1,200 miles to the new Indian Territory became known as the Trail of Tears because of the thousands that died along the way from diseases and starvation. (Trail, 3-4) By 1837, President Andrew Jackson’s removal act had removed 46,000 Native Americans from their land, and he already had treaties in place for the removal of more. (Legends

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