The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. It led to the forced relocation of the Five Civilized Tribes, resulting in the Trail of Tears, where many Native Americans died during their movement to the west.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. President Jackson, known for his anti-Native stance and as a former Indian fighter, strongly advocated for this policy. Although the act theoretically stated that the removal of Native tribes should be voluntary, in practice, there was significant pressure applied to them to relocate, particularly in the case of the Five Civilized Tribes: the Cherokee, Creek (Muskogee), Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole. These tribes faced not only the loss of their ancestral lands but also a harrowing journey west that is remembered as the Trail of Tears. This event resulted in the death of thousands of Indigenous people due to exposure, disease, and starvation during their forced relocation.
The passage of the Indian Removal Act marked a contentious moment in American history, reflecting the escalating tensions between Whigs and Democrats in Congress, and symbolizing a broader conflict between the interests of white settlers and indigenous peoples.
Complete Question:
Who passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830