Which political action did President Jackson make that led to what became known as the Trail of Tears?
1 Answer
The forced resettlement of the the five "Civilized Tribes" west of the Mississippi. From the 1830s to 1850 the major remaining Native Americans East of the Mississippi were moved to Oklahoma.
Explanation:
The Federal Government was unwilling and unable to preserve Native American territory set aside by treaty from white settler incursion. A particular sore point was during a Gold rush in Georgia. Gold seekers invading federal land were backed up by Georgia State Militia. Some Native Americans were were detained by the the Militia. A court case went to the Supreme court which sided with the detainee.
President Jackson had fought the Creeks some years earlier. He chose to remove the Natives rather than risk a fight with the local militia. More removals followed.
The Native Americans had to abandon their homes, possessions and land. They had in many cases walk (some were ferried on rivers part of the way) hundreds of miles. Many died. They were escorted by soldiers.
Oklahoma Indian territory was set aside for these and other Native Americans. It too was later given over to white settlement.
