key term - Native American Removal

Definition

Native American Removal refers to the policy initiated by the United States government in the 1830s to relocate Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated territories west of the Mississippi River. This policy was justified by a belief in Manifest Destiny and resulted in significant displacement, suffering, and death for many Native Americans as they were forced to leave their lands and cultures behind.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Indian Removal Act led to the establishment of Indian Territory, primarily located in present-day Oklahoma.
2. Resistance from Native American tribes, including legal challenges, often went unrecognized as government policies favored removal.
3. The policy was largely driven by economic interests, particularly land hunger among settlers and the desire for agricultural expansion.
4. Many Native Americans who were removed faced harsh conditions during relocation, including exposure to harsh weather and inadequate supplies.
5. The consequences of Native American Removal included long-term cultural disruption and loss of ancestral lands for numerous tribes.

Review Questions

• How did the beliefs surrounding Manifest Destiny influence the policy of Native American Removal?
  • Manifest Destiny played a crucial role in justifying Native American Removal as it promoted the idea that American expansion was not only inevitable but also divinely ordained. This belief led many Americans to see the relocation of Native peoples as a necessary step towards fulfilling their nation's destiny. As settlers sought land for agriculture and settlement, they often disregarded the rights and sovereignty of Native American tribes, viewing their removal as a natural consequence of progress.
• Evaluate the impact of the Indian Removal Act on specific Native American tribes and their cultures.
  • The Indian Removal Act had devastating effects on tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole. It led to forced relocations characterized by immense suffering, exemplified by the Trail of Tears for the Cherokee. The loss of their homelands disrupted traditional ways of life, fractured communities, and resulted in long-lasting trauma. The act not only stripped tribes of their land but also eroded cultural practices that were closely tied to their ancestral territories.
• Analyze how Native American Removal fits into broader themes of U.S. expansionism and policy towards indigenous peoples during the 19th century.
  • Native American Removal exemplifies broader themes of U.S. expansionism marked by aggressive territorial acquisition throughout the 19th century. As settlers moved westward, government policies increasingly marginalized indigenous populations, reflecting a systemic disregard for their rights. This removal was often rationalized through ideologies like Manifest Destiny, framing expansion as a moral imperative while simultaneously facilitating economic growth. The legacy of these policies contributed to ongoing struggles between Native Americans and the U.S. government over land rights and sovereignty.

Related terms

Trail of Tears:

The forced relocation of thousands of Cherokee people in 1838-1839, resulting in a long and treacherous journey that led to significant loss of life due to disease, exposure, and starvation.

Indian Removal Act:

An 1830 law signed by President Andrew Jackson that authorized the president to negotiate treaties for the removal of Native American tribes from their lands in the east to territories west of the Mississippi.

Manifest Destiny:

The 19th-century belief that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America, often used to justify policies like Native American Removal.