Indian Removal Act DBQ

One of the most controversial political figures in American history, former President Andrew Jackson was (and is) both hated and loved by many. Born into extreme poverty, Jackson became a lawyer, rose as a politician in the state of Tennessee by 1812, and earned national fame for his outstanding leadership skills in the war with Britain (The). Though Jackson first lost the Presidential Election to John Adams, he became the nations’ seventh President in 1829. In spite of his first loss, support for the general was still widespread and the win ushered in the Jacksonian era in the United States. However, Jackson experienced much resistance from the Non-Democratic Whig party as a result of his controversial policies and ideals, the most polarizing …show more content…
This act authorized the government to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within already established state borders. A few tribes went peacefully; nevertheless, many resisted (The). Jackson supported the act primarily because he believed that relocating the Indians would separate them from immediate contact with settlements of whites, free them from State powers, and further enable them to pursue happiness in their own cultural ways (Primary). Furthermore, he had hope that it would halt their slow extinction. For these reasons, the intensions of the Indian Removal act sounds right and believable, however the end results may not suggest …show more content…
Many now realize the wrong that was done all those many years ago. The government has allotted space for the Native civilizations whom abide by their own rules and laws, and many are celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day instead of holidays like Columbus Day which highlight those who plundered and pillaged native civilizations (The). Though this does not completely make up for what was done, it is certainly a start. Moreover, there needs to be an understanding that it was not our generation that did these wrongs, but as a whole there is a lesson to be learned. No one should be discriminated against for their skin color and race, and I believe that lesson is settling in. As one can see, One of the most controversial political figures in American history, former President Andrew Jackson was (and is) both hated and loved by many as a result of his controversial policies and ideals (Primary). Moreover, The Indian Removal Act was signed into law on May 28, 1830 and authorized the government to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within already established state borders. Though a controversial topic, the act has certainly left it’s mark on

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