Indian Removal Act

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)
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This Act of Congress, promoted by President Andrew Jackson, sought to solve the problem created by the incursion of the whites into Indian lands east of the Mississippi. The Act was ostensibly designed to enable the complusory purchase of Indian lands and the relocation of tribes to the west of the Mississippi. The five civilised tribes (the Cherokee, Chicksaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole) had adopted Western culture, including agricultural practices, trade skills, a written constitution, and Christianity. Cherokke resistance to removal was countered by the army under General Winfield Scott who forced them to move into internment camps. In 1838-39 they would be forcibly relocated to Oklahoma (see the "Trail of Tears"). The Seminole resisted with violence (see "the Seminole Wars,…

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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "Indian Removal Act". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 February 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=4667, accessed 29 March 2024.]

4667 Indian Removal Act 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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