Andrew Jackson oversaw a
harsh policy with regard to Native Americans. This policy resulted in the usurpation of land, attempts
to destroy tribal culture, and the forcible removal of Native Americans from the southeastern United
States to a designated territory west of the Mississippi River.
Jackson, of
course, was not always so indulgent of states' rights, as is shown by his famous threat
later on to use military force against South Carolina if that state acted on John Calhoun's
doctrine of nullification.
While most historians are in agreement
with the details of Jackson's Indian removal policy, there is significant debate with
respect to his motivation. Did Jackson's racist antipathy to the Indians pave the way for
the “Trail of Tears”? Or did he support this policy out of a humanitarian desire to protect
Native Americans from the impending wrath of white settlers and their state governments
who refused to negotiate with the southern tribes as sovereign nations?
I came across an article (link) where Jillian Keenan argues why she believes that Jackson shouldn't be on the representing the $20 bill. In her defense, she wouldn't want someone who engineered a genocide to be honored. I agree with her on that behalf.
Also, i read about an interesting incident at a high school in Ohio where the cheerleaders recall the trial of tears in a racist attempt to taunt the opposing team nicknamed the Indians. The cheerleaders, representing Greenfield’s McClain High School, held up a banner after traveling to the game against the Hillsborough Indians that read, “Hey Indians, Get ready for a Trail of Tears Part 2.”
I'm white and i found that extremely hurtful and shocking then what about the Indians that heard about this?!
History always repeats itself...
