One of the issues the new government was faced was defining the status or role of Native Americans in American society. In 1780 Thomas Jefferson in a document advocated removal of all Native Americans west of the Mississippi River while others favored assimilation through education and conversion to Christianity. The Cherokee had become perhaps the most “civilized” of all Native American people by recasting their society in the mold of white America, yet were subjected to removal effective with the Treaty of New Echota 1835. Before you read the documents review the actual Indian Removal Act of 1830 which is the third link. As you read the documents note the rationale for removal espoused by Presidents Monroe and Jackson and the response by Elias Boudinot and Theodore Frelinghuysen.
“President Monroe Justifies the Removal Policy 1825; James Monroe” (Links to an external site.)
“Jackson’s Rationale for Removal 1829; Andrew Jackson” (Links to an external site.)
“Jackson Defends the Removal Policy 1830; Andrew Jackson” (Links to an external site.)
“The Removal Act of 1830″ (Links to an external site.)
“Responses to Removal 1826; Elias Boudinot” (Links to an external site.)
“Speech Against Removal by Frelinghuysen https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llrd