Overview of Andrew Jackson’s Policies Towards Indigenous Peoples

• Context

  • Andrew Jackson’s presidency marked significant changes regarding the treatment of Native Americans.

• Policy Goals

  • Andrew Jackson aimed to remove Native Americans from their ancestral lands, primarily pushing them west of the Mississippi River to Indian reservations.

  • Objective: Free up land for white settlers, consolidating indigenous peoples into less valuable areas.

• Public Reaction

  • Jackson did not have unanimous support for his policies; some groups, particularly women, opposed his treatment of Native Americans.

  • Opposition highlighted: Thousands of women signed petitions protesting the removal of the Cherokee Indians in Georgia; women had limited rights and experienced oppression themselves, fostering empathy towards Native Americans.

• Resistance from Native Americans

  • Many Native American tribes resisted relocation.

  • Leader Example: Black Hawk led the Sauk and Fox tribes in Illinois against removal. He had previously fought in the War of 1812.

• Black Hawk War (1832)

  • Volunteer militia attacked Black Hawk’s forces, leading to the Black Hawk War.

  • Result: Massacre of 400 Native Americans; Black Hawk was captured.

• Indigenous Women's Issues

  • Current issues highlighted: Epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women, particularly in California, lack of resources to assist these victims.

• Cherokee Resistance and Legal Efforts

  • The Cherokee sought to prevent relocation through legal means, attempting to assimilate into white culture by adopting Western customs including:

  • Adoption of a written constitution modeled after the U.S. Constitution.

  • Emulation of American agricultural practices, ownership of slaves, and cultural customs including English education and religion.

  • Cherokee Constitution: Developed to prove their civilization and right to remain on their land.

• Supreme Court Case: Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

  • The Supreme Court ruled that Georgia had no jurisdiction over Cherokee lands, recognizing them as a sovereign nation.

  • Outcome: Despite the court's ruling, Jackson ignored the decision and pursued removal of the Cherokee.

• The Treaty of New Echota (1835)

  • Some unauthorized Cherokee leaders signed a treaty conceding land claims to Georgia, which was immediately resold to white settlers.

  • Chief John Ross led efforts to challenge this treaty in Congress but faced considerable opposition, leading to the dismissal of his petitions.

• Forced Removal

  • Trail of Tears: Deadline set by the U.S. government for voluntary removal was 05/08/1838; those who did not comply were forcibly removed.

  • The journey was treacherous, covering 1,200 miles and resulting in the deaths of approximately 25% of the Cherokee population due to harsh conditions.

• Settlement in Oklahoma

  • The relocated Cherokee were placed on substandard land that failed to provide adequate resources for sustaining their community.

Economic Policies and Controversies During Jackson's Presidency

• Tariff Policies

  • High federal tariffs of up to 43% had been implemented on imported goods in previous years (notably in 1816 and revised in 1824).

  • Tariffs defined as taxes on imported goods that raised prices for consumers and reduced competition from foreign goods.

• Southern Opposition

  • Southern congressmen feared tariffs would hurt cotton exports and overseas shipping, leading to the derogatory label "Tariff of Abominations" for the 1828 revision.

• John C. Calhoun and Nullification

  • Calhoun, the Vice President from South Carolina, drafted the Doctrine of Nullification, asserting states' rights to nullify federal law if deemed unconstitutional.

  • Southern Response: South Carolina declared the federal tariffs null and void starting on 02/01/1833, refusing to collect them.

• Jackson's Response

  • Jackson ignored South Carolina's declaration, sent federal troops, and promoted the Force Bill to allow military action against non-compliance.

  • Amid mounting tensions, Congress acted to ease tensions by proposing a revised tariff that South Carolina found acceptable.

• Symbolism of Nullification

  • The episode symbolized sectional tensions that would later deeply affect the Union, particularly regarding states’ rights and the issue of slavery.