Which author's thesis do you find most compelling
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States of America, voted in 1928 (E. Foner), was known for out rightly fighting for the democracy of the people. He helped in the victory from the British in New Orleans in 1821, and is famous for advocating for every individuals right and freedoms.
The Indian removal Act of 1830, signed by Andrew Jackson, was a policy that advocated for the removal of the Native Americans, five tribes of native Indians, to the east of the Mississippi river in exchange for their lands. Even though president Jackson believed in every individuals freedom, his actions contradicted him because not only did he own slaves, the African American, he also wanted the total removal of the Native Indians even though there was a treaty that allowed them to become American citizens if they so wished.
A particular Native Indian tribe called the Cherokee even fought the forceful removal of the Indians using a court injunction which they won but unfortunately Jackson was not one bit pleased with the decision of the court pertaining the issue.(L. Madaras, 2002)
According to Remini, he believes that President Jackson was looking out for the benefit of the native Indians when he advocated for the implementation of the act. This was the only way that they would be protected from the ever increasing population of the whites. This would also assist them in the preservation of their rich culture and beliefs (L. Madaras 2002).
According to Cave, president Jackson had the option of honouring the treaty that he signed with the Native Indians but he chose to silently advocate for their forceful removal and coercion. He only believed that only the whites are the rightful citizens of America. He wanted the whites to have the fertile land that the Native Indians believed it rightfully belonged to them (E. Foner ).
The removal act was of no benefit to the Native Indians, not only did it lead to the loss of ancestral land without compensation, it resulted to coercion and ultimate denial of rights and freedom.
Work cited
Larry Madaras, James M SoRelle, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in American History, Volume 1, (2002), UniversityDigitized4, Pennsylvania State.
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty! An American History, v. 1, Seagull 3nd edition, Chapter 10, "Democracy in America, 1815-1840
