Indian Policies

A: Madalyn
B: Hanaa
C: Together
A. Briefly explain each Presidents policy on Indians Jefferson through Jackson
Indian policy was a tough issue for the generation of United States presidents including Thomas
Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson. They had various
stances on the issues and took action. Their actions forever changed the destiny of the Native American
people. Firstly, as proposed in his First Annual Message and State of the Nation Addresses of 1807,
Jefferson suggested assimilation, and for those Indians who refused, he offered Western land. Madison
similarly encouraged Indians to assimilate into American culture, to become farmers and adopt other
behaviors. In addition, Madison ordered the US Army to protect Native lands from intrusion by settlers,
to Jackson's horror. "The removal of the tribes from the territory which they now inhabit . . . would not
only shield them from impending ruin, but promote their welfare and happiness", said Monroe in an 1825
address to congress. He believed assimilation to be the proper solution but catered to the wishes of the
nationalist masses. Monroe often met with the Indians, and made them respectful promises that were not
kept by the US government, trying to coerce the "civilized" tribes to emigrate West and get out of the way
of Southerners and pioneers; devising a plan with his Secretary of War, Calhoun. Furthermore, Quincy
Adams was determined to remove the Indians by non-forceful means, but Georgia refused to submit to
Adams's request and forced Adams to make a treaty with Creeks and Cherokees granting Georgia what it
wanted. Jackson took removal in stride, firstly by treating the diverse Indians as all one people and plotted
to move all the eastern Indians to the opposite side of the Mississippi. He proceeded to sign the Indian
Removal Act, causing the Trail of Tears to be made.
B. Compare the policies and provide evidence to demonstrate Change over Time and Causation.

- Thomas Jefferson's First Annual Message basically endorsed the assimilation of native
Americans to the white culture. He repeated his stance on this subject in the State of the
Nation Address of 1807 and 1808. He stated that "...continued efforts to introduce among
them the implements and the practice of husbandry, and of household arts." (evidence:
Jeffersons First Annual Message). Over time stricter reinforcement and as as a president
instituting such act gives the citizens more of compelling intent. Which was all due to spread
the white heritage and religion as well.

- Jefferson's Indian Policy reasoned the aptitude of the Indians to adopt white culture to become
farmers. He also insisted that they give up tribal lands in the northwest. At that time
Americans saw Indian tribes as separate matters with self governing communities. As a result
Jefferson proposed his Indian policy that they should either adopt the white culture or the
option move west with the exchange of their original homelands (evidence: Jeffersons Indian
Policy). Over the course of time, potentiality is used as a reason to somewhat discreetly
acquire Indian land and relocate them. It was caused due to acculturate the Indians from their
land and open that land for further expansion

- Indian Removal Act was set by Jefferson and it offered the Indian removal to territories in the
west. And through advocating state legislatures and Jackson's urging - the removal soon

became the official policy of the nation. Even after Jefferson's term , Jackson sustained his
dogma of Indian relocation through his annual messages. In which Jackson has specifically
dealt with these matters in the first, second, and seventh messages (evidence: Jackson's
Annual Messages). Over time it showed the actual implementation of the removal with
Jeffersons proposal. Because of the pressure from the some of the states and Jackson's
influence, it shows that even over the years the power of strong influence dominates is a
persisting element in politics and day to day mundane affairs. It's cause was the perpetual
intent to colonize Indian land.

- Federal Indian Laws showed the South's attempt to invalidate prior treaties. The Supreme
Court ruled, saying that the invalidation was unconstitutional. And as a result, Jackson
persisted by forcefully enforcing Indian tribes into signing removal treaties. During the
reviewal of the Cherokee Nation v. State of Georgia (1831) case, the Supreme Court favored
the Cherokees. The decision was made as Georgia's intent to expand cotton productions into
their homeland was concluded as unconstitutional, as it was their land to begin with. Jackson,
however, proceeded to enforce the pressuring of the Indians to sign removal charters. Even
though he, the president, was executing his power even if it violated the Constitution
(evidence). Through time rendered a much vocal and proactive way of showing their goals to
relocate Indian tribes, especially now with an adamant president publicly opposing the Indians
continual habitation. The interference of the Supreme Court evoked their power and right of
ruling if a situation is considered unconstitutional. The cause was the use of assimilation as an
ersatz front, but in reality the removal was really for white expansion and settling boundaries
and disputes.

- Treaties Between Indian Nations and the U.S has dated back to the 1700s. Innumerable
treaties made between plethora of Indian tribes. But despite the supposedly peace contract,
disputes were still prevalent as many violated or disregarded the treaties. Hence, the excessive
count. A rather specific example would be the Cherokees. From the first treaty in 1785 to the
last treaty in 1835, approximately twenty plus negotiations have been made within that time
span. Or the Chippewa with fifty plus treaties from 1785 through 1867. In conclusion,
numerous treaties have been made. The peace momentary, then back to chaos, then to brief
peace again. (evidence from http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/toc.htm). Over time
the Indian policies imply the government's step for action to get what they want. No more
treaties, instead more proactive movements to achieve goals were established. The abundance
in treaties was the cause as it was a primarily due to land/boundary distinctions. As well as the
language barriers and clashing cultures. But the enforcement of white culture to Indian society
forcefully contributed the most, as it was widely used as the reasoning for the relocations.
C. Pros and cons in Jackson's eyes + cause and effect for Indians

Pros
Lessened disputes with Indians
Would not need to tolerate them
White land expansion
More land means new revenue, thus a better economic stance
Cons
Worries about setting a precedent of breaking contracts (unconstitutional)
Not all Americans support forced removal - wants to remain Hero
Making enemies if Indians - attack pioneers

Cause
Northeast Ordinance and other promotions of US expansion
settler intolerance
Settler desire for assimilation
Settler desire for Indian removal
Signing of Treaties
Effect
voluntary assimilation
Forced removal
Removal from ancestral lands
Preservation/revival of culture
Seminole War
Signing of Treaties
Death via sickness, cholera, and disease
Black Hawk War