Indian Removal by Jasmine Mancilla

1802 - Compact of 1802

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 00:14:47 UTC

The Compact of 1802 was an agreement between the United States and the state of Georgia in which Georgia ceded its western land claims, which now make up the states of Alabama and Mississippi, to the federal government. In return, the U.S. government agreed to pay Georgia $1.25 million and to extinguish Native American land titles within the state "as soon as reasonably possible." This compact played a key role in shaping the expansion of U.S. territory and had lasting effects on Native American populations in the region.

Primary Source:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

Image source:

http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2016/03/1802-thomas-jefferson-compact-of-1802.html

1814- Battle of Horse Shoe Bend

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 00:26:42 UTC

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place on March 27, 1814, during the Creek War, which was part of the larger War of 1812. General Andrew Jackson led a group of American soldiers, along with Cherokee and Lower Creek allies, against the Red Stick Creeks, a group of Native Americans who were resisting American expansion. The Red Sticks had built a strong fort at a bend in the Tallapoosa River in what is now Alabama. Jackson's forces surrounded the fort and launched a major attack. The battle ended in a huge defeat for the Red Sticks, with over 800 of their warriors killed. This battle was very important because it broke the power of the Red Stick Creeks and forced them to sign the Treaty of Fort Jackson, which made them give up more than 20 million acres of land to the United States.

Primary Sources:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://softschools.com/viewTimeline.action?id=415

Image Source: https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/battle-of-horseshoe-bend-painting

1817- Treaty of Cherokee Agency

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:00:25 UTC

The Treaty of the Cherokee Agency was signed in 1817 between the United States government and the Cherokee Nation. It was one of the first treaties that encouraged the Cherokee to move west of the Mississippi River. In the agreement, the Cherokee gave up land in the southeastern U.S., mostly in Tennessee. In return, they were promised land in what is now Arkansas, along with money and supplies to help with their move. Some Cherokee agreed to the treaty and began moving west, while others chose to stay on their traditional land. The treaty also offered U.S. citizenship to Cherokee individuals who remained and adopted a more American way of life. Many Cherokee people felt pressured to sign the treaty because of growing settler expansion and government pressure. This treaty marked the beginning of a long series of events that eventually led to the Trail of Tears.

Primary source:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://softschools.com/viewTimeline.action?id=415

https://notesfromtheninthcircle.blogspot.com/2011/08/treaties-of-cherokee.html

Image Source:

https://notesfromtheninthcircle.blogspot.com/2011/08/treaties-of-cherokee.html

1828- John Ross

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:15:34 UTC

In 1828, John Ross was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. He was of mixed Cherokee and Scottish descent and was highly educated, which helped him become a strong leader. Ross worked hard to protect Cherokee land and rights as pressure from the U.S. government and settlers increased. He believed in using legal and peaceful methods to fight the removal of the Cherokee from their homeland. Under his leadership, the Cherokee created a constitution and tried to show they could live like white Americans. Despite his efforts, the U.S. government eventually forced the Cherokee to leave their land.

Primary Source:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781324041375/epubcfi/6/170[npp-80170cab3ef57f27b783]!/4/2/2/2/2[indian-removal]/12[native-responses]/12/1:941[ipp%2Ci.]

https://www.loc.gov/resource/llsalvol.llsal_004/?sp=459

Image Source:

https://www.santafeartauction.com/auction-lot/mckenney-and-hall-john-ross-a-cherokee-chief_A554AE7980

1830- Indian Removal Act

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:22:22 UTC

The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830. It allowed the U.S. government to make treaties with Native American tribes to move them from their land east of the Mississippi River to land in the west. Many white settlers supported the law because they wanted more land for farming, especially in places like Georgia and Alabama. Even though the law said the move was supposed to be voluntary, most Native Americans were forced to leave through pressure and threats. Tribes like the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole were all affected. Some tried to resist by going to court or even fighting back, but most were still removed. The journey west was very hard, and thousands of Native Americans died during the move, especially during the Trail of Tears. This act is remembered as one of the saddest parts of U.S. history for Native American people.

Primary Sources:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781324041375/epubcfi/6/170[npp-80170cab3ef57f27b783]!/4

Image Source:

https://schoolhistory.co.uk/industrial/the-permanent-indian-frontier-of-1840/

1838- Trail of Tears

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:29:53 UTC

The Trail of Tears happened in 1838 when the U.S. government forced the Cherokee Nation to leave their land in the southeastern United States. Even though the Cherokee tried to fight removal in court, they were still forced to move because of the Indian Removal Act. About 16,000 Cherokee were made to walk over 1,000 miles to what is now Oklahoma. The journey was really hard, with cold weather, not enough food, and a lot of sickness. Around 4,000 people died along the way, including many children and elderly. U.S. soldiers watched over the march, and families were often separated. The Trail of Tears was a very sad and unfair event in American history. It showed how badly Native Americans were treated by the government.

Primary Sources:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781324041375/epubcfi/6/170[npp-80170cab3ef57f27b783]!/4

https://softschools.com/viewTimeline.action?id=415

https://www.loc.gov/resource/llsalvol.llsal_004/?sp=459

Image Source:

https://www.britannica.com/event/Trail-of-Tears

1839- Cherokee Act of Union

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:36:17 UTC

The Cherokee Act of Union was passed in 1839 to bring the Cherokee people back together after the Trail of Tears. There were two main groups: one had moved west earlier, and the other was forced to move later during the removal. When they all ended up in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), there were disagreements and tension between them. The Act of Union helped unite the two groups under one government and one set of laws. It was signed on July 12, 1839, and showed that the Cherokee wanted to stay strong and rebuild their nation. Even after everything they went through, they worked to keep their culture and stay united. This act helped them create peace within their tribe and move forward together. It was an important step in keeping their identity alive.

Primary Sources:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781324041375/epubcfi/6/170[npp-80170cab3ef57f27b783]!/4

Citations

jmanci19 — 2025-05-15 01:41:16 UTC

Primary Sources:

https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/indian_removal/removal_timeline.cfm

https://www.americanyawp.com

https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781324041375/epubcfi/6/170[npp-80170cab3ef57f27b783]!/4/2/2/2/2[indian-removal]/16[remaining-in-the-east]/2/1:19[%20Ea%2Cst]

https://www.loc.gov/resource/llsalvol.llsal_004/?sp=459

Secondary Source:

https://notesfromtheninthcircle.blogspot.com/2011/08/treaties-of-cherokee.html

https://softschools.com/viewTimeline.action?id=415