Indian Removal Act

In the early 1800s the United States was growing rapidly and expanding out towards the west. The lower South had the most problems they were all eager to find more land to grow their cotton. But the problem was that the land they were looking at to expand into was home to Indian tribes including: Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chicasaw and Seminole. The federal government soon began to try and acquire the Indian Territory. The Indian Removal act was passed by the Twenty-First Congress of the United States of America on May 26, 1830. Some Indians tried to take the issues to court like in Georgia. This soon began the memorable Trail of Tears where 70,000 Indians from all over had to leave their homes and go to designated areas of Oklahoma. In a speech Andrew Jackson gave on the Indian Removal act he said this, "It gives me great pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the government, steady pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation with the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation."
Some Americans tried to help the Indians and showed them how to live like Americans. The Indians started having churches and dressing like the Americans. My family and I tried to help one Indian family from the Cherokee and held them in our house. For awhile I even forgot they we Indian, and looked at them as part of the family because of the way they acted. Sadly this didn't last long and the government soon made them move to Oklahoma. We still do not know if the family we tried to help save ever made it to Oklahoma or not.