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Indian Removal Act
Congress passed the Indian Removal Act proposed by President Andrew Jackson. This act would force Native Americans to move West. -
Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek
First removal treaty carried out by the Indian Removal Act. Jackson pressured the Choctaw to sign a treaty signing over 11 million acres of the Choctaw Nation (now Mississippi) in exchange for 15 million acres in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Those who stayed were granted citizenship. -
Worcester v. Georgia
The Cherokee Nation tried to win fair treatment through the US legal system. They won recognition as a distinct political community and the court ruled that Georgia cannot regulate the Cherokee or invade their lands. Jackson refused to abide by the Supreme Court's decision. -
Treaty of Cusseta
Agreement between the US and Creek Nation which ceded all Creek claims east of the Mississippi Rive to the US. -
Treaty of Pontotoc
Agreement between US and Chickasaw Tribe that stated the Chickasaws would move west when suitable land was attained. Chicasaw removal occured 1837 when land was obtained. Unlike other tribes, they were able to take the majority of their possessions and few died on the way. -
Treaty of New Echota
This treaty gave the last 8 million acres of Cherokee land to the US in exchange for 5 million dollars and land west of the Mississippi. In 1838, many of the Cherokees remaind in the land and were forcibly removed by the order of Martin Van Buren. -
Trail of Tears
The Cherokee were sent off in groups on an 800 mile trip made by steamboat and railroad but mostly by foot. More and more Cherokee died en route. Along the way, the government officials stole their money and the outlaws took their livestock. They burried about a quarter of their people along what is now known as the Trail of Tears.