How Was The Indian Removal Act Justified

(University of Richmond,1)

It is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind,developing the power and faculties of man in their highest perfection-stated President Andrew Jackson at his second State of The Union Address.He is prophesying about the promise and potential that the Indian Removal Act holds.Passed on May 28,1830,The Indian Removal Act allowed the US government to exchange unsettled lands west of the Mississippi River for Indian lands within the boundaries of southern states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.This was necessary because the jurisdiction was conflicting between the state government and the Indians.With all the values and rules that the United States hold, a question has to be answered: Was The Indian Removal Act Justified? Due to the benevolent policy of the government, the protection of the Natives,and the improvement of general welfare, it should be

First, It cleared up Georgia and Florida which helped farmers have lands for farming cotton. With the boom of cotton growth in the southern states,the economy was boosted massively.Second, the population of the US was increasing and there was an urgent need for more land.The 1830 census shows that there were 12,866,020 people living in the United States,who needed more space.There were only about a 100,000 native Americans spread around their territories.Finally,It was the responsibility of the Government. According to Andrew Jackson, “It is, therefore, a duty which this government owes to the new States to extinguish as soon as possible the Indian title to all lands which Congress themselves have included within their limits.”(State of The Union Address,1829) When the US bought over Georgia and Florida they had to get rid of any indigenous people or intruders. All in all,this act really was necessary for the development of our