The Royal Proclamation of 1763 laid down the basis for how colonial administration would interact with First Nations peoples in the centuries that followed. citizens, but also the benefit of the Indians as well.Historical Context: Before the Indian Act, 1763–1876
This act was said to be inevitable, but truthfully, all this pain and suffering could have been avoided had we not acted in not only for the benefit of the U.S. This act is one of the most shameful in American history because of the way American perceived these Indians, many of them died, and not for any beneficial or good reasons. Instead, they had to live on government’s land. They did not have the freedom to own their own land and live where they chose. Along the way, a massive number of these Indians died, drastically decreasing their population. Sadly, the Indian Removal Act was passed, forcing these Indians to uproot their families and move across the country. Although many more jobs could be created, there could also be less job opportunities from more employees. This could be a good thing and a bad thing. They would not live on reservations and have the same freedom as any other citizen, voting and erecting their own businesses. A different policy would be created, requiring the Indians to become citizens and send their children to American Schools, insuring that they learn American history and culture. Later on, after a Civil War, the Indians moved freely and eventually became citizens as well. Any sign of a rebellion will force the use of violence. They were included in American culture and took the place African Americans would have taken as slaves. The passing of this act had a few benefits, but the harm it did definitely outweighs the all the benefits.Īn alternate history of the Indian Removal Act would be- President Andrew Jackson did not approve the Indian Removal Act, thus, the transfer of the Cherokee, Seminole, Creeks, Chickasaw, and Choctaws did not commence. Many of the things we know of them today, might not have been discovered. Even though they would be a part of our everyday lives, I believe that their culture would not be preserved, adapting to “white culture” instead. They would also have the freedom to live where they choose and they would not be segregated for being Indians. I believe that they would also be citizens, with all the same rights as others.
However if Congress had not passed the Indian Removal Act, then Indians would be a big part of American Culture. government could have chosen a different policy with different results, results that wouldn’t have subjected the Indians through harsh experiences. The Indian Removal Act was not inevitable. This march from the east to the west took about ten years, and throughout the journey, many of them died from illness, disease, and hunger.
Because of this policy, 70,000 Native Americans were forced on a march, The Trail of Tears, in 1838. policy towards Native Americans during the 1830’s. The Indian Removal Act was passed in 1830 to support this movement. They were bribed, tricked, and intimidated into this agreement by the Federal agents. In 1830, it was authorized by President Andrew Jackson to transfer five Native American Indian tribes to land in Oklahoma, which was falsely promised to them for forever, to preserve them from “white culture.” By the end of the 1830’s it was agreed that the Indians would give all of their land to the United States and move to land beyond the Mississippi.