Lecture 5 - Indian Removal Flashcards
Describe the 3 approaches whites took toward Native Americans to take land
- Diplomacy: sign treaties to take land
- Assimilation: Make indians civilized
- Forced Relocation: Requires use of military
What was the doctrine of discovery?
Held that christians could claim and conquer lands inhabited by non christians
What efforts did the cherokees try to integrate themselves into the white society?
Written language, Owned black slaves, Christianity, Newspaper, European farming style, Political institution
Why did the Cherokees efforts fail?
- Indian lands ideal for growing cotton
- Gold was discovered
- Whites overrun Indian property
- Georgia declares cherokee political institutions illegal
Who came to the defense of the Cherokees?
Lydia Sigourney and Catherine Beecher
Why did Sigourney and Beecher oppose the Indian Removal?
Unchristian, extended slavery, Indians oppose removal, political skills for women
What were key factors involved in the Indian Removal?
Signed by Andrew Jackson, highly regional vote, only presidents could negotiate with indians for land
What happened in the Cherokee nation vs Georgia?
- Cherokee challenged Georgia State laws
- Case dismissed because Indians lacked standing
- Lawsuits need to demonstrate injury
What happened in Worcester vs. Georgia?
- Involves state of Georgia, not president
- Only fed gov. could negotioate
What were the details of the Treaty of New Echota?
- Cherokee lands east of mississippi river echanged for lands in oklahoma plus transportation and money
- only approved by a faction of the tribe
Describe the Trail of Tears
100-400k deaths
lack of planning
Theft
Bad luck
Who were the Native Americans living west of the Mississipi river?
The Comanche Tribe
