Question

Describe President Andrew Jackson's attitude toward native people as he authorized theforced removal of Indians to Western lands. What did he think of them? Was he empathetic to their interests? What did they represent to him in terms of American expansion?

Answer 1

Overall, Jackson didn’t like the Natives. To him they were an obstacle in the way of good farmland. He believed poor white men should be allowed to live and farm on the Natives land, which is what initially led to him trying to move them.
The Natives in the South refused to give up their land, which led to the Cherokee tribe going to the American supreme court. Even though the case ruled in the Natives favor (they cannot be forced to move), Jackson still forced them to move. The Trail of Tears itself was brutal for the Natives and even after they arrived out West, they didn’t get much government assistance. These instances show his lack of empathy towards the Natives.