INDIAN REMOVAL ACT

100,000 Native Americans still remained east of the Mississippi River

After the War of 1812 several groups in the “Old Northwest” signed treaties and gave up their lands

Southerners wanted more land for growing cotton – a BIG cash crop

In 1825 and 1827, Georgia passed laws forcing the Native Am. to give up their land

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) allowed Georgia to force them off

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) declared Georgia could NOT force the Cherokee out.

Judge Marshall quoted treaties that the U.S. had signed guaranteeing territory to the C.N.

INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830

Gave government power to offer the Natives land west of the Mississippi (Oklahoma) in “exchange” for their land east of the Mississippi.

Choctaws moved first (1831-1833) Lacked supplies for the trip

Cherokee moved in 1838 (Jackson left office) Martin Van Buren forced the Cherokee to

move

15,ooo forced to leave

Over 4,ooo died on the way.

Seminoles fought back in the Seminole Wars

Eventually in 1840 they were forced to move too.