Conflicts Over Land

1. Conflicts Over Land

2. Moving Native Americans • In the 1830’s Americans Expanded westward with a large number of native Americans stilling living the eastern portion of the country

3. Moving Native Americans • In Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi & Florida lived the “5 Civilized Tribes.” Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creeks & Seminoles. • They established farming societies in these states with successful economies

4. Moving Native Americans • To settlers, areas west of the MS River seemed dry and useless for farming. • Americans wanted the government to relocate native Americans who were living in the SE.

5. Moving Native Americans • They proposed they move the Indians to land west of the MS River. • Andrew Jackson supported their demands.

6. Indian Removal Act • Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. • US paid Native Americans to move west. • Jackson sent officials to negotiate treaties with the NA

7. Indian Removal Act • Most tribes felt compelled to take payments. • In 1834 Congress created the Indian territory which is present day OK for Indians coming from the SE

8. Cherokee Nation • The Cherokee refused to give up their land • 1790 Treaty recognized the Cherokee as a separate nation in GA. • They had their own laws

9. Cherokee Nation • GA refused to accept Cherokee law. • The Cherokee sued in Worcestor vs GA • Supreme Ct ruled GA had no right to interfere with the Cherokee, only the Federal government could.

10. Cherokee Nation • Jackson supported GA’s right to remove the Cherokee and vowed to ignore the ruling.

11. Trail of Tears • In 1835 The US Gov. persuaded a few Cherokee to sign a treaty giving up their land. • Most of the Cherokee, 17,000, refused to abide by the treaty.

12. Trail of Tears • Jackson persisted in the removal and sent Gen. Winfield Scott and an army of 7,000 to forcibly remove the Cherokee. • Filled with anger and sadness the Cherokee moved west to he Oklahoma Territory.

13. Trail of Tears • The weather along the way claimed thousands of lives . • The forced march of the Cherokee became known to them as the Trail of Tears.

14. Native American Resistance • In 1832 Chief Black Hawk lead the Sauk & Fox tribe back into IL. Their Homeland with the intent of recapturing the area.

15. Native American Resistance • The IL. Militia and fed. Troops responded by pushing the Sauk & Fox back to the MS. River where they were slaughtered by the militia.

16. Native American Resistance • The Seminole were the only native Americans who successfully resisted removal by the US Gov. • The Seminoles refused to sign any treaty and went to war with the US Gov.

17. Native American Resistance • In 1835 the Seminole joined forces with run away slaves and attacked white settlements along the coast of FL. Using guerilla war tactics (Hit & Run)

18. Native American Resistance • Many Seminoles died over time and along with the US soldiers. • Some Seminoles were captured and others moved west.

19. Native American Resistance • After 1842 only a few scattered tribes remained east of the MS River. • The end result was the Native Americans gave up over 100 Million acres of land.

20. Native American Resistance • In return they received about $68 million in compensation and 32 million acres of land west of the MS River. • The 5 civilized Tribes relocated to OK in the eastern half along with several other plains group native Americans.

21. Native American Resistance • The 5 tribes settled in peace, improved their farms, built schools, and developed their governments. • They also developed a law enforcement unit called the Lighthorsemen to keep the peace & maintain safety for the region.