Document 1 - Andrew Jackson's State of the Union Address (Modified)
It gives me great pleasure to announce to Congress that the Government’s benevolent policy of Indian removal has almost been achieved. We have wept over the fate of the natives of this country, as one by one many tribes have disappeared from the earth. However, we must accept this the way we accept when an older generation dies and makes room for the younger.
We would not want to see this continent restored to the condition in which our forefathers found it. What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and occupied by a few thousand savages to our great Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms, decorated with art and industry, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization, and religion?
The United States will pay to send the natives to a land where they may live longer and possibly survive as a people. Can it be cruel when this Government offers to purchase the Indian’s land, give him new and extensive territory, pay the expense of his removal, and support him for the first year in his new home? How many thousands of our own people would gladly embrace the opportunity of moving West under such conditions!
The policy of the Government towards the red man is generous. The Indian is unwilling to follow the laws of the States and mingle with the population. To save him from utter destruction, the Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.
Source: Andrew Jackson, "State of the Union Address." December 30, 1830.
Guiding Questions - Answer these questions in your graphic organizer.
1. According to President Jackson, what goal was America trying to accomplish by sending Native Americans to a different territory? (Paragraphs 3 and 4)
2. Why did President Jackson believe the government's Indian removal policy was "generous"? (Paragraphs 3 and 4)
3. According to the information in THIS DOCUMENT ONLY, why did the U.S. Government pass the Indian Removal Act?
4. Find at least one quote from the document that supports your answer to Question 3.
We would not want to see this continent restored to the condition in which our forefathers found it. What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and occupied by a few thousand savages to our great Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms, decorated with art and industry, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization, and religion?
The United States will pay to send the natives to a land where they may live longer and possibly survive as a people. Can it be cruel when this Government offers to purchase the Indian’s land, give him new and extensive territory, pay the expense of his removal, and support him for the first year in his new home? How many thousands of our own people would gladly embrace the opportunity of moving West under such conditions!
The policy of the Government towards the red man is generous. The Indian is unwilling to follow the laws of the States and mingle with the population. To save him from utter destruction, the Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.
Source: Andrew Jackson, "State of the Union Address." December 30, 1830.
Guiding Questions - Answer these questions in your graphic organizer.
1. According to President Jackson, what goal was America trying to accomplish by sending Native Americans to a different territory? (Paragraphs 3 and 4)
2. Why did President Jackson believe the government's Indian removal policy was "generous"? (Paragraphs 3 and 4)
3. According to the information in THIS DOCUMENT ONLY, why did the U.S. Government pass the Indian Removal Act?
4. Find at least one quote from the document that supports your answer to Question 3.
Next Step - Document 2: Memorial of the Cherokee Nation