United States History Student Edition

03 Native American Conflicts and Removal

Removing Native Americans GUIDING QUESTION How did the government remove Native Americans from the eastern United States? When Andrew Jackson took office in 1829, thousands of Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw lived in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. These groups had created successful farming communities that were much like many other American communities. As a result, most Americans considered them “civilized” and referred to them as the “Five Civilized Tribes.” But while Americans recognized the success of the Five Civilized Tribes, they did not respect their rights. They wanted the Native Americans’ lands for themselves. The Cherokee Versus Georgia As the first president from west of the Appalachians, Andrew Jackson had a decided sympathy for those who faced the challenges of living on the western frontier. He had seen Native Americans fight to protect their homes and farms from white settlers, and he was on the side of the settlers. Like many whites, Jackson thought that the best way to solve conflicts between settlers and Native Americans was to just move the Native Americans out of the settlers’ way. In 1830, President Jackson pushed the Indian Removal Act through Congress. This law authorized the federal government to pay Native Americans to relocate , or move to another place. Jackson then sent officials to make treaties with the Native Americans in the Southeast.

READING STRATEGY Analyzing Key Ideas and Details As you read, take notes about how each group of Native Americans resisted removal and the results of their resistance.

Cherokee

Seminole

relocate to move to another place

FLORIDA BENCHMARKS

• SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.3 • SS.8.A.4.1 • SS.8.A.4.4 • SS.8.A.4.13 • SS.8.A.4.16 • SS.8.A.4.17 • SS.8.A.4.18 • SS.8.CG.1.3

• SS.8.G.2.1 • SS.8.G.4.1 • SS.8.G.4.2 • SS.8.G.4.6 • SS.8.G.6.2 • ELA.K12.EE.6.1

The Seminole people of Florida farmed and lived in villages such as the one shown here.

North Wind Picture Archives/Alamy Stock Photo

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