Andrew Jackson's presidency marked a new era in America; the common man was empowered to accomplish great things as Jackson became the first president to not come from the country's elite class. An exceptional general, Jackson commanded armies in the southern United States in the early 1800's where he aided in the relocation of numerous Native American tribes. Following Jackson's election he began to set in motion his proposal to remove southern Indians west of the Mississippi. In a letter to Tennessee militia general, John Coffee, Jackson writes to him, "The Executive of Georgia, under a legislative act ... ascertains the line dividing the Creek boundary from that of the Cherokees ... which includes about one million acres of what the Cherokees claim as their ancient boundary. The Georgians have taken possession of it and want the Cherokees removed.... the Cherokees complain of this intrusion & require the removal of the Georgians. All this confusion is occasioned by the restless spirit of Georgia, which the Govt. is taking means to have the Indians reasonably removed beyond the Mississippi, and which we must affect to preserve them." As Jefferson and Monroe previously had stated, these men believed the Native Americans should be moved for their own good.
President's message
Andrew Jackson's presidential message. 1829.
Following President Jackson's message to congress stating the importance of expansion, he signed the Indian Removal Act May 28, 1830. The act gave Jackson the ability to reserve land west of the Mississippi for the United States, in exchange of land east of the Mississippi for the Native Americans. Those who chose not to relocate would become citizens of the statehey resided in. Following the passing of the Indian Removal Act, Jackson pushed for removal and continued to justify the positive outcomes. Jackson stated, "It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions". Manifest Destiny had always been an underlying theme among the American people; while politicans stated the removal of Native Americans would be positve for them, the ideology of Manifest Destiny was sill a primary motvator for westward expansion.