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The Removal of Indigenous People from the East (1830-1838) - Coggle Diagram
The Removal of Indigenous People from the East (1830-1838)
The 'Five Civilised Tribes' Tried to Live Alongside White Americans
In the south-east of America, several key tribes tried to adapt and live alongside white Americans. These tribes were known as the 'Five Civilised Tribes'.
The Cherokee tried to use the same political structure as the USA - creating a capital city and using money for the economy. They also created a written language.
By the 1820s, the Cherokee had their own churches, schools and their own newspaper. The other four tribes began to take a similar approach to the Cherokee.
The 'Five Civilised Tribes'
Cherokee
Chickasaw
Choctaw
Creek
Seminole
White Settlers and Cotton Planters Demanded the Removal of Native Americans from the East to Free Up Land
White settlers began going into the lands of the 'Five Civilised Tribes' as early as the 1790s. Many of the settlers wanted to farm the land or create plantations for slaves.
In 1829, the slaveholder, Andrew Jackson (President 1829-1837) became the President of the USA.
Jackson persuaded Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act (1830) - a law which promised tribes money if they agreed to relocate.
Jackson set aside a permanent Native American Territory (a piece of land specially put aside for the Indian nations) west of the Mississippi River in modern-day Oklahoma.
Jackson believed that Indian nations need to be treated like children - he said that moving West would be in their best interests.
Many Native Americans were Angry about the Indian Removal Act of 1830
Choctaw and Chickasaw
Quickly signed treaties and began moving West.
Between 1831 and 1833, the Choctaw gave up around 11 million acres of land and around 15,000 moved to Native American Territory.
Despite their cooperation, thousands died due to harsh winters, lack of government funds and disease.
Cherokee
Took their case to the Supreme Court to complain at the actions of the state of Georgia in trying to remove them.
In 1832, The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee should stay.
Creek
They refused to sign a treaty at all.
Between 1830 and 1838, the US Government Used a Range of Tactics to Remove Eastern Tribes, Causing Much Suffering
The Seminole
The Seminole were a Native American people who lived in Florida in the 18th Century.
In 1830, a small group of Seminole signed a treaty with the US government and moved to Indian Territory.
Not all Seminole agreed to go. The government declared war against them (1835-42) in what were the Florida Wars (Seminole Wars). It cost the US government $40-60 million.
The USA lost the war but had Osceola, the Seminole chief, killed during peace talks.
After this, the remaining Seminole were pushed west.
The Creek
The Creek signed a treaty giving up some of their Alabama land in March 1832. In return, each Creek was promised an individual piece of land.
Some white settlers moved on to land which had not been sold in the treaty - Alabama government did not help.
By 1835, the Creek began attacking the settlers and stealing livestock.
Between 1836 and 1837, the army forcibly removed over 15,000 Creek to Native American Territory.
By 1837, 15,000 had moved west.
The Cherokee
Most of the Cherokee refused to move after the Supreme Court judgment of 1832.
In 1835, some key Cherokee people such as Elias Boudinot signed a treaty and headed West. Most of the Cherokee population (c15,000) rejected the treaty and petitioned Congress.
By 1838, only 2,000 Cherokee had moved West and the army was sent to remove the Cherokee who had stayed in Georgia. The Cherokee were forced into concentration camps until the winter.
The Cherokee were force marched to Native American Territory on 'The Trail of Tears', where 4,000 Native Americans died due to cold, hunger and disease.
By 1838, the Jackson government had removed 46,000 Indians from their lands.