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Was Andrew Jackson Justified In The Indian Removal Act

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The authors of each article tackle the daunting task of representing the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, and president Andrew Jacksons approach, appropriately while also including their own personal opinions. They also must back up their points with fact and reason. Each author has a unique opinion compared to the others, and when read all together, provide a better understanding from multiple sides and sources. The question the authors debate is whether Andrew Jackson was justified in his removal of Native Americans by use of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Was he protecting the safety of the Native Americans by moving them, or was he only progressing the agenda of the white man? The last two articles are primary sources from Andrew …show more content…

On one hand there’s Wallace’s work, which condemns the president, calling him cowardly and weak. While Remini’s work says the complete opposite, describing Jackson as a man of the people who did what nobody else would. The authors use lots of primary sources including the address to congress. Wallace writes about how during the address Jackson does not seem interested in personifying the natives. They also use historical events, such as the trail of tears to further their points. After reading the articles it is clear that both authors make great points that leave the reader thinking. However, Andrew Jackson should be blamed for the horrible injustice that occurred to the Native Americans. In no way shape or form can the death of some 4,000 people, guilty by only the color of their skin and the place in which they were born, be defended let alone justified. Indian Removal was a terrible disaster that should never occurred. Indians should’ve been allowed to keep their land and keep their ideals. With more thought and time Andrew Jackson could have come up with a way to integrate natives into society, without removing them entirely. It seems as though America gave up on a people willing to sacrifice their heritage and forget their culture to be a part of this country, and that in itself is a monumental

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