Indian Removal Act Point of View Analysis

Students will read and analyze 3 points of view on the Indian Removal Act by answering 37 questions and completing an extension task. The excerpts are from President Jackson in 1829, Theodore Frelinghuysen in 1830, and Chief John Ross in 1836 (with a bonus quote from 1838). The answers are included where appropriate and this would be great for a sub!

Sample questions include:
--Why hasn’t that goal been achieved yet?
--Why have the tribes been doomed to decay?
--Does he want this plan to be forcibly enacted, why or why not?
--Write another example that would fit in with the start of Frelinghuysen’s second paragraph.
--Explain the motivation Frelinghuysen sees as behind this act.
--What is a “vexation?”
--How does Chief Ross imply that it could be in their power to not comply with the treaty?
--Does the 1838 quote show that the Cherokee plea of 1836 had the desired effect, why or why not?
--What is the Cherokee’s strongest argument and why?
--Which of Jackson’s points do the Cherokee or Frelinghuysen most effectively counter and why?

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