Jackson Democracy Lesson Plans - Andrew Jackson had a strong position against Native Americans and their claims to lands in both the South and West. As a military general, he fought against various tribes on several occasions in both the War of 1812 and various wars against natives including the First Seminole War. As president, he instituted the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the displacement and death of thousands of Native tribes. Truly, Jackson's position on natives is both controversial seen as a negative on his actions as president.
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FIRST SEMINOLE WAR
SECOND SEMINOLE WAR
As a military leader, Jackson first acted against Indians through his conquests in the First Seminole War of 1817. On behalf of President James Madison, Jackson invaded Florida and forcibly conquered the native Seminole population. He later served as Military General of Florida throughout 1821.
TRAIL OF TEARS
JACKSON AND INDIAN POLICY
In 1835, as president, Jackson conducted further warfare against Indians in the southern United States. As part of a series of wars conducted between settlers and natives, Jackson took a strong position against natives, believing that American settlers had proper claims to the land.
INDIAN RELOCATION ACT OF 1830
Oklahoma
Through Jackson's policies and laws concerning tribal lands and American settlers, Indian removal eliminated many conflicts between settlers and natives. The result is know as the Trail of Tears, in which thousands of Cherokee tribal members were forcibly marched from Florida and Georgia to reservations in Oklahoma. Many perished as a result.
This legislation Jackson pushed through Congress allowed him to negotiate treaties and solve land disputes between native tribes and settlers. Ultimately, it resulted in many unfair treaties and agreements that worked against natives and their claims to lands that conflicted with American settlers.