Native American Removal Quotes
His negative predictions were tragically prescient.
This editorial was written just after the Massacre of Wounded Knee. An irony is that this editor who called for the extermination of Native Americans was later the author of The Wizard of Oz.
His Indian Removal Policy forced Native American to leave their lands which were theirs by treaties signed by the United States and marched to the poorest land in Oklahoma where they were "resettled". This is often referred to as the "Trail of Tears". What made his actions evern wors was the fact that The Supreme Court had already ruled that such land belinged to the Cherokee Indian Tribe and the government of the United States may not force them from it. Jackson was the only President in Amrican History to defy a Supreme Court order.
President Jackson was the most extreme President in terms of abuse of Native American Rights. His racist views and policies were a large reason for the continuing problems that Indians have had gaining fair treatment and equality. Jackson was the only American President who ever refused to obey a Supreme Court decision when he removed the Cherokee Indians from their lands, despite the fact that the Supreme Court had ruled that such a removal was illegal. See {623405} for other Jackson views on Indian policy.
The first Native American to become a General Officer. Appointed by President Grant in 1869
Jackson’s policies regarding Indians set back all the work of the earlier Presidents and created facts on the ground and attitudes that vex us to this day. In this occasion he said very forthrightly that it was his intention to deny Indians title to ANY land in the then United States. His idea was to send all the Indians to the Oklahoma Indian Territory and establish reservations for them there. Of course, as the Western states joined the Union, the Whites wanted those Indian Lands as well. See {643150} for other Jackson views on Indian policy.
