Inquiry+Draft+(S.+Merritt)

10/05/10 DRAFT __ECI 435__: Social Studies Methods // What were the social and public reactions/feelings of the Cherokee press and other news articles during the Trail of Tears in regards to Andrew Jackson's Indian removal act? //

President Andrew Jackson, the seventh leader of the United States, signed into law the Indian Removal Act on May 26, 1830. Ultimately, this law gave authorization to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. A few Indian tribes accepted the new order, however; many resisted the policy to relocate and formulated several distinct opinions regarding America’s enforcement of law. During the fall and winter of 1838 and 1839, the Cherokee Indian tribe was forced to move west, per orders from the government. This historical event, known as the “Trail of Tears” led approximately 4,000 Cherokee Indians to their death. Many Cherokees felt that their Treaty of 1828 established, guaranteeing and securing land for the Indian period was pointless and disregarding in every aspect.

I have always been interested in the history of my relatives, the Native Americans. Growing up, my teachers briefly described the most important, dramatic events surrounding the Indian population and never went into great detail about the numerous voices from the Cherokee culture. I began thinking about one topic I did touch upon in grade school-this being the Indian Removal Act. I often wondered what the Cherokee Indians felt and voiced regarding their removal and their reactions through their press. Therefore, through the examination of newspaper articles and numerous primary sources, one can see the outrage and sense of neglect the Indians, specifically the Cherokee tribe, felt towards the Indian Removal Act. Cherokees spoke out in an effort to inform the entire Indian nation of their lack of allegiance for the United States at the time.

First and foremost, many Cherokee’s believe it was completely detrimental to the interests of all Indians to remove such a group as the Cherokees. Published in //Phoenix//, on January 20, 1830 prior to the signing of the act, the Cherokee nation spoke out in enraged and published a letter written to the US Senate and House of Representatives. The Indians voiced their loyalty to the United States and wished to reach the economic level of the Americans, rather than be poor. The Cherokee’s are also being pressured by, “Our neighbor, the state of Georgia, is pressing hard upon us, and urging us to relinquish our possessions for her benefit. We are told, if we do not leave the country, which we dearly love, and betake ourselves to the western wilds, the laws of the state will be extended over us, and the time, 1st of June, 1830, is appointed for the execution of the edict” exclaimed one distinguished Indian. Ultimately, the Indians are grieving and practically begging the country to re-evaluate their decision to demands their exit. Many Indians feel as though the treaties made with the United States should be upheld and that all encroachments of their territory should be upheld.

From just this one excerpt written by a respected Cherokee member, any outsider can feel their sense of attachment to their land. Many of their relatives and friends have lost their lives, and been buried, within the soils of the southern states, therefore the thought of even removing themselves brings negativity towards the United States among all Cherokee people. Furthermore, the press clearly addresses how they cannot understand how one can claim they are a nation, “of all men under heaven, are the most religious and free,” if they cannot make a righteous decision and hear out the Indian concerns. Finally, this particular article wants people to understand that the Indians happiness and existence are at stake, however if they are degraded and forced to move their civilized life will be destroyed.

Once the Indian Removal Act was actually put into effect, many more Cherokee’s began speaking out in their bilingual newspaper known as the //Cherokee Phoenix and Indian Advocate // with an effort to shout their opinions. This paper drew the Cherokee nation together and helped begin a widespread national voice all throughout present-day Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. On ** Saturday, May 29, 1830, ** the Cherokee’s immediately believed friendship was worthless. All of their connections and bonding with the United States in the past meant absolutely nothing. The Indians wished to inform all of their people of those names who were for and against saving the Indians of their land and freedom to reside in the south. Senate members of New Jersey, Maine, and Rhode Island clearly made the Indian rights seem important enough to disagree with the law every been passed, while senators from Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama completely disregarded the northern states attempt to save any bits of land for the Cherokees. The Cherokee were enraged by how drastic the country had changed since “the days of our Pilgrim fathers-the days of the heroes of our Independence-the days of Washington and our other illustrious patriots.” The Cherokees felt sickened and wished the tell everyone willing to listen, especially since most Indians were literate at this time. In addition, in this particular article posted in the paper, the Cherokees wanted to make it clear that America will eventually pay for their decision to remove the Indians, and no one from the Cherokee nation will be sincere after being removed from their own homeland.

As the Indians were removed, many Americans made speeches, particularly in the Senate, regarding their opinion on Indian affairs. In October 1830, one senator felt that, “It cannot be expected, that the conditions of a few tribes of secluded Indians should at once claim and secure the sympathies of million, who are occupied, if not engrossed, by their own pursuits.” This particular post by the Americans makes the Cherokees feel unworthy and denied any right or property among the lands they have previously been living upon. Commerce, war, and the domination of a political party were more of a priority causing Indians to feel helpless and alone. The Cherokees felt betrayed by Americans ability to be inconsiderate about the timeliness of removal act going into affect, and how insincere and unfaithful the Americans actually were.

Throughout many of the articles from the //Cherokee Phoenix//, writers criticize the chastisement of the Indian people. However, they also long to voice their concerns in a manner that hopefully the American people will read and think otherwise about their choice of voting for the Cherokee’s have their land revoked. For instance, Rochester Obs states, “let it be remembered that these are the proceedings of the Senate, the members of which are required only once in six years to surrender their authority into the hands of the people. In the other house we hope for better things. They will hardly venture to disregard the will of those who have clothed them with authority.” The Cherokee react in a way that shows their perseverance through the situation. Despite having to pack their things, lose all trade ties in the southern states, and move their entire lives else, the Cherokee people stay hopeful that the government will come to their sense. Of course not one Cherokee was remotely satisfied with the decision made by the Jackson administration, although they hoped that speaking their mind about the situation would then trigger Americans to react in order to get more questions answered.

Daily newspaper articles were printed in the //Phoenix// seeking support from any direction the Cherokees could. There main motive was to make sure their opinions were still heard despite being forced off their property. On July 31, 1830, one Cherokee describes the overall feeling and emotion amongst all Indians-“the provisions of that act, [were] not only cruel, unjust, and oppressive, but likewise calculated to cast on immovable, and palpable shade, over the hitherto brilliant, and untarnished fame of our free republic.” Many Cherokees sought after an enriched life in America because of “truth, justice, and humanity,” however; in the eyes of most Cherokees those characteristics were dishonored. Also, in this particular article featured, it seems as though Cherokees are criticizing everything that American professes to be framed around-such as a free republic. Although, Cherokees voice their concern with the fact that the United States, but specifically the state of Georgia, must call upon the national government to rid the Indians from their land. One can infer that the Cherokees indeed feel that this is a cowardly act and wish all American citizens would reconsider the justice it has put into affect.

Another perspective and display of reaction by the Cherokee comes from the Phoenix’s article titled, “The Indians-Chapter First”, from the July 17, 1930 paper edition. This Cherokee member explains how the point of enduring human suffering only stretches so far. Meanness is the underlying feeling inferred from this article, along with that fact that promises were violated and completely disregarded. Despite the Indians attempt to fight removal legally by challenging the removal laws in the Supreme Court and by establishing an independent Cherokee Nation, they were still removed. Therefore, many Cherokee’s wished to denounce the United States at all costs, the prime spot being in the newspaper which was widely read. Americans were referred to as “ cruel oppressors” and thought to be looking after their own corners and obligations, rather than those of the Indians. This led to a feeling of hostility from the Cherokees leading them to react and eventually decide to take on the State of Georgia in the Supreme Court; where the Indians were unsuccessful.

The Indians spoke out universally to convey their feelings and sense of disbelief towards the United State people and governing bodies. The Cherokee’s vocalized that they acknowledge the fact that “that some persons suppose it will be for our advantage to remove beyond the Mississippi,” however they whole-heartedly disagree. It was extremely difficult for the Cherokee not to speak and convey how brutal the removal truly was when they have always followed through with their promises and treaties. Therefore, because there was a removal of the Cherokee population without a valuable reason, it was up to the Indian population to publish every letter, grievance, opinion, and document to spread the news of the situation to surrounding areas.