jackson CE history

The Everglades area is not viewed as suitable for farming by settlers.
The Seminole people are offering sanctuary and refuge to escaped slaves.
- This is problematic for Southern states such as Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi which depend on slave labor for their agricultural economy, specifically cotton and tobacco cultivation.
The emergence of conflicts between Seminoles and Southern states is significant.

Two significant conflicts: the First Seminole War and the Second Seminole War.
The latter occurs during Andrew Jackson’s presidency, from 1835 to 1842.
Southern states form militias to combat the Seminole resistance, resulting in violence towards the Seminoles.
The Seminoles retaliate and form pan-Indian alliances with other tribes, specifically the Chickasaw and the Chickasaw.
The U.S. government intervenes in Florida to suppress the Seminole resistance, labeling it an obstruction to the national economy.

U.S. casualties in the war amount to around 1500, considered high for the period, especially relative to earlier conflicts like the Civil War and World Wars.
Chief Osceola becomes a prominent figure in the resistance against U.S. forces and helps to solidify the pan-Indian alliance.
Osceola is eventually captured, leading to a crisis of leadership within the Seminole community regarding whether to continue fighting.

Following the conflict, many Seminoles are forcibly relocated to what is now Oklahoma, deemed as Indian Territory.
The land in Oklahoma is much less desirable for farming compared to Florida, characterized by dry soil and harsh conditions.
Many Seminole tribe members die during relocation due to malnutrition, starvation, and dehydration, exacerbated by their inability to adapt to their new environment.

The Cherokee Nation is situated in Georgia, near the Appalachian Mountains.
Unlike other Native tribes, the Cherokee start to assimilate into European-American culture, adopting language and customs.
- They create a written form of their language and develop a constitution modeled after the U.S. Constitution.
The Cherokee begin practicing cash crop farming and even own slaves, elevating their social status within contemporary society.

The discovery of gold in the west of Georgia incites greed and a desire to push the Cherokee out of their land, despite existing treaties.
The Cherokee sue the state of Georgia, resulting in the 1831 Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia.
The Supreme Court rules in favor of the Cherokee, affirming their land rights and the validity of previous treaties.
Andrew Jackson, however, dismisses the ruling and refuses to enforce it, stating, "Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it."

Following Jackson's defiance, the Trail of Tears develops as a forced relocation route for the Cherokee and other tribes.
The movement westward, occurring primarily around 1836, results in the deaths of approximately 4000 out of 15000 Native Americans who traverse the trail.
The relocation occurs during late fall/winter when the conditions are particularly harsh, leading to high mortality rates.
Various tribes, including the Chickasaw, Seminoles, and others, are affected by this policy of forced relocation.

Occurs in the Northwest, involving tribes such as the Fox and Sioux.
Chief Blackhawk of the Fox tribe leads resistance against U.S. settlers, demonstrating the escalating conflict as westward migration increases.
The Blackhawk War highlights the choices facing Native Americans: to fight against encroachment or to remove themselves from territories.
The Illinois militia is mobilized against the Fox tribe, leading to their decimation and further loss of Native lands.

Prominent figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis are involved in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War, later becoming significant political leaders on opposing sides during the Civil War.

Jackson's presidency leads to the rise of the Whig Party, forming in opposition to his policies regarding Native Americans and governance.
The Whig Party advocates for a strong national government to support infrastructure development, contrasting Jackson's preference for states’ rights.
The election of 1840 reflects new campaigning strategies, with slogans targeting opponents directly and employing personal appeals to the electorate.
Candidates Van Buren and William Henry Harrison represent the Democratic and Whig parties, respectively, with differing approaches towards governance and public engagement.

The lecture concludes with reflections on the long-term implications of Jacksonian policies for Native American tribes and the emerging political landscape of the United States in the 19th century.