*Introduction to the Document*

On Dec. 6, 1830, President Andrew Jackson addressed

Congress. He was calling for the relocation of eastern Native
American tribes to land west of the Mississippi River. He
wanted to do this to open new land for settlement by citizens
of the United States. His speech defended the Indian
Removal Act. The act had already been passed in May of the
same year. The Indian Removal Act was passed to open up for
settlement those lands still held by Indians in states east of
the Mississippi River. These states were primarily Georgia,
Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and some
others. The policies of Jackson led to the killing of many
Native Americans and made him one of the most controversial
U.S. presidents to date.
Andrew Jackson’s Message to Congress “On Indian Removal”
(1830)

It is my pleasure to announce to Congress that a kind and generous

policy of the Government is reaching a happy end. These are laws that
involve removing the Indians out from the white settlements. We have
steadily been trying to do this for nearly 30 years. We decided on the
condition for removing the Indians at the last meeting of Congress.
[…]

We are not changing the Government's actions much. We are just using
a nicer plan now. […] We should gain the land occupied by the Indians of
the South and West through a fair trade. It will be paid for by the
United States. We should send the Indians to a land where they may
live a long time. Perhaps their people will live there forever. There is no
doubt it will hurt them to leave the graves of their fathers. However,
is that different than what our ancestors did? […] Our forefathers
wanted to better their lives in an unknown land. To do that they were
willing to leave all the earthly objects they loved. […] Is it sad that our
children have left everything with which the young heart has become
wrapped up in? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy that our
country offers space where our young population may move freely
unconstrained in body or in mind. They can develop the power and
abilities of man in their most perfect way. These young people move
hundreds and almost thousands of miles. They pay for this move on
their own. They buy the lands they move onto. […] The Indian has
become unhappy in his ancient home. He has become unhappy because
of events the Government cannot control. Why is it cruel of the
Government then to buy the Indian's lands? The government will give
him a new and extensive territory, pay the cost of his removal, and
support him for a year in his new home.
 HIPPO: Andrew Jackson’s Message to Congress “On
Indian Removal” (1830)

Historical Context Answer the questions to the left before

What kind of document is this? reading the document.
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When was this document written?
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after the Trail of Tears?

Intended Audiences Answer the questions to the left before

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audience?

Point of View Read the questions to the left then read the
Did the author support or oppose the Indian document to answer the questions.
Removal Act (1830)?
What were his reasons for supporting or
opposing the new law?

Purpose Read the questions to the left then read the

Why did the author write to Congress about document to answer the questions.
this new law?
What was the author trying to do when he
wrote about the new law passing?
Outside Information Read the questions to the left then read the
What other information comes to your minds document to answer the questions.
when you read this document?
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reading this document when thinking about
the Indian Removal Act?