On Indian Removal

The speech “On Indian Removal” by Andrew Jackson was initially delivered to the United States Congress on December 6, 1830. Jackson, a military hero in the War of 1812, is renowned as the “people’s president” because of his creation of the Democratic Party, his dissolution of the Second United States National Bank, and policies perceived as supporting the common citizen’s right to pursue liberty and freedom. Among the latter was Jackson’s support of westward expansion and “Manifest Destiny”—the idea that the US was divinely ordained to spread “civilization” across the continent. As part of this agenda, Jackson supported the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their lands, culminating in the “Trail of Tears”: the forced relocation of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw, resulting in much violence and death. He initiated this move with the Indian Removal Act of 1830. His speech in support of the legislation explores the themes of The Expansion of American Culture, Savagery Versus Civilization, and Divisions Within America.

This study guide refers to the copy of the speech from the National Archives Records of the United States Senate, 1789-1990, citing by paragraph.

Content Warning: The source material displays racial and ethnic prejudice and promotes ethnic cleansing.

Referring to the last 30 years of US policy towards Indigenous Americans as “benevolent,” Jackson claims that those policies are now close to attaining their goal. He notes that “two important tribes” have agreed to relocation (1), and he believes others will recognize the supposed advantages of this decision and follow suit.

Jackson argues that the displacement of Indigenous Americans will benefit all parties—particularly the tribes. He contends that the United States’s financial gains are secondary to other benefits, including reduced conflict between the state and federal governments over issues relating to Indigenous Americans. He further argues that the fertile and strategic lands currently occupied by “a few savage hunters” will flourish once populated by “civilized” people (2). These people—white Americans—will develop those regions’ culture and economy while repelling potential threats to the newly settled lands. Finally, Indigenous Americans will be able to govern themselves under their “rude institutions,” and this separation from white Americans may halt their decline. Jackson believes they may even come to embrace Christianity and other aspects of “civilization.”

Jackson questions what “good man” would prefer to leave land undeveloped and (he claims) largely uninhabited when it could boast cities and farms, citing “the blessings of liberty, civilization, and religion” that come with life in the US (3). Furthermore, he says the policy he is defending is in line with earlier government policy and merely accelerates a migration that is already occurring. Jackson insists that the government will pay a fair price for the southern and western territories currently in question and will even subsidize the relocation of the tribes. He acknowledges the pain and suffering forced displacement will cause Indigenous Americans but says that their experience of leaving their homes will be no different than that of many white Americans: In fact, it is the American way to bravely seek new and unknown places to make a life for oneself. Jackson contends that many white Americans would be happy to have the government pay for such a relocation and questions whether Indigenous Americans can be any more attached to their homelands than these Christian settlers.

Ultimately, Jackson concludes that the Indian Removal Act is “not only liberal, but generous” (5). Jackson argues that as Indigenous Americans who do not relocate must face either assimilation or extinction, the prospect of moving at the US government’s expense should be an attractive one.