Indian Removal Act of 1830

The Indian Removal Act became law on May 28, 1830, under President Andrew Jackson. It began the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from lands east of the Mississippi River and opened that land to white settlers.

The Five Tribes

The nations most affected were the Cherokee, Creek (Muscogee), Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole, often called the Five Tribes. Not every member of Congress supported the act, and Tennessee Representative Davy Crockett was among its vocal opponents.

Resistance

Most of the Seminole fought removal in the Second and Third Seminole Wars. The Cherokee won a case at the Supreme Court, but the ruling was not enforced.

The Trail of Tears

Between 46,000 and 60,000 Native Americans were forced into Indian Territory, which later became Oklahoma. About 23,000 Creek people were moved between 1827 and 1838, and thousands died on the three-month journey. The Cherokee removal took place in 1838 and 1839. Several thousand people of African descent and white people married to Native partners were also moved west.

References

1. Indian Removal Act, National Geographic Education.
2. Indian Removal Act (1830), National Archives, Milestone Documents.