Arguments for the Indian Removal Act
The side supporting the Removal Act also developed as the issue gained more ground after passing. Some Americans supported the Indian Removal Act, saying that somehow the act would not only benefit America, but also the Natives themselves. By pushing the Natives outside the country's boundaries, Natives would be able to return to the culture they once knew and would be able to throw away the white culture they were forced to absorb. This would allow the Indian heritage to live on. As the population of America increased, many believed that the Native population was decreasing due to conflicts with the foreigners and other misfortunes. By moving the rest of their people elsewhere, the Native population would be able to regrow and in turn, save the Natives.
It might sound strange, but even some Natives supported the Indian Removal Act. They didn't want to relocate, but if it meant an end to conflicts between settlers and Natives, they would move out of the country's boundaries. Moving the Indians to another area would allow America to expand itself, supporters argued. The eastern lands once belonging to the Indians would allow the frontier to support communities if the land was give to foreign settlers. These newly settled communities would be permitted to prosper without fear of Indian attacks.
Another argument that was used to support this act was that Americans rightfully claimed Indian land. They thought they could claim this land because it was viewed as unsettled and not used for farming of any sort. This land was considered highly valuable to the American settlers because farming meant a profit from cash crops.
The American government would also benefit if the Indian Removal Act was carried out as planned. Before this act, there was debate about which government (the federal or state) had the power to create laws regarding border disputes. After the act, there would no longer be any fears about which government held this power, as the federal government was granted this power.
One American in favor of the Indian Removal Act, General Winfield Scott, helped with the removal of the Indians firsthand as he escorted them west after receiving the power to do so. In his message in 1838, Scott stated that the Indians need to "correct the error that [they] have committed", meaning they had to move west after putting up a fight about it. He also wrote that "the treaty would be enforced" by the President of the United States. Scott was just one of the people who felt strongly about the Indian Removal Act.
In the end, those in favor of the Indian Removal Act saw the opportunities for America to increase its territory, political power and influence, and a better economy.
Andrew Jackson called for the removal of Indians from American territory, making him a supporter of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
(Image from www.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Removal_Act)
(Image from www.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Removal_Act)