Final answer:
Andrew Jackson's policy towards Native Americans was characterized by removal and relocation, culminating in the Indian Removal Act of 1830. His administration applied pressure on tribes to move west of the Mississippi despite theoretical voluntariness, leading to events like the Trail of Tears.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to which statement most accurately characterizes Andrew Jackson's intentions toward Indians is C) He pursued a policy of removal and relocation. Andrew Jackson's administration is widely recognized for the implementation of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which called for the relocation of native tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to territories west of the Mississippi River. Despite theoretical provisions for voluntary removal, the reality was that Native Americans were subjected to significant pressure, and the policy led to the forcible displacement of many, notably exemplified by the tragic event known as the Trail of Tears, which predominantly affected the Cherokee Nation.
Additionally, Jackson's refusal to enforce a Supreme Court decision that favored the Indians emphasizes his commitment to this removal policy. His stance on Indian removal was a reflection of a broader sentiment of the time, which saw the indigenous peoples as obstacles to White settlement and state sovereignty. Jackson's role as an Indian fighter further solidified his position towards the Native American tribes, which contributed to the hardships they faced.