The Myth of the Vanishing Indian has served a vital function in U.S. history. The removal of the Cherokees indeed illustrates the pervasiveness of this myth. During the 1800’s, the U.S. had already developed democracy and was able to achieve everything that could be done to create a path leading to a new face of Americans. In America, the new generation was much patriotic, entirely different, and much determined to ensure that the economy is corrected and secure. Quite a number of factors affected this change, for instance, the arrival of immigrants and the intention of expansion.
The need for development was apparent, though it was accompanied by one big issue: the Native Americans claimed most of the fertile land that could be used for farming. It was now apparent for the Americans that the Native Americans had to look for an alternative of leaving. However, the case of the Cherokees and the state of Georgia, which could be referred to as one of the significant variables in the defeat and dispossession of Indigenous people in the Eastern Woodlands of North America before 1815, was different of the Cherokee civilization was rich, meaning they were capable of reading and writing and for this is one of the things which made them to have an added advantage over their counterparts. In addition, they learned agriculture and were much aware of the marketplace value.
Additionally, Cherokees established their constitution, which they could use to define their borders and rights, so that they did not have to face any form of infringement. Among the Cherokees, Americans living in Georgia were frightened by newfound independence, something that made it a priority for the Indians to be removed. In return, Georgians realized that this is one of the forces to recon with, and Cherokee knew that newcomers presented a challenge at the time. Georgia pressed the Congress, and it gave and advice to Andrew Jackson to take the conditions given. In 1802, Georgia’s ideal was well executed and extended with the Creek nation removal, which worked as they expected, leading to their next target, the Cherokees. Before discharge, the Cherokee adopted some of the Euro-American culture. As a result, the concept of their laws could be understood by new Americans.
Because of the knowledge that the Cherokees had in agriculture and market, the people of Georgia feared them. The fear increased when the Cherokees established their constitution towards having a right to live peacefully and without interference. Similarly, the idea of creating a central government was aimed at living a peaceful life without intervention. However, the fight for these territories just started. According to Georgians, they felt they had the right to take the land based on the 1802 compact, which stated that all Indian land would be acquired by the United States and then would be given away through the lottery, the land is an issue and it has being an issues for so long to an extent that people are ready to fight and even shed blood in attempt to protect their land. When the Congress failed to take this idea into action, the Americans felt that it is their time and right to make the land by force, in any way it will not be the best thing to do but in case the government is not listening to cry of the people the other alternative is to use force. To avoid Native opposition, Georgia developed acts that left the Cherokee nation without the best they can do. Such actions were aimed at further disenfranchisement of Native Americans.
The laws made back then were not in order, and some stated it was not allowed for anyone who is from the Cherokee tribe, be it a warrior or a leader, to meet or even hold any form of gathering with purpose of making law and regulations. Clearly, such conditions did not favor the members of this tribe at all. This law is an indication that the Americans feared Cherokee to an extent they did not want to meet in a roundtable to make rules. In addition, this is an indication of a bias in the Americans law, something that led to the Cherokees being denied their rights. This factor is one of the reasons the American Euro culture did not found firm ground among Natives. Specifically, the laws limited the actions of the Cherokees government and interfered with the constitution that was created by them to help their people adapt to the Euro-American culture.
After Georgia convinced the Congress that removal of Cherokee was the best option, the next step to influence the development of United States’ Civilization policy was to consult with the newly elected president so that he could preside over the removal of the Natives. Andrew Jackson was renowned for fighting Natives, so it was agreed that he was the one who could would not fail. The myth of the vanishing Indian according to Americans could not provide them the best opportunity to progress, and so it is something that had to be done for the better America and it should be noted nobody would hate a good a better place. Before Jackson took action to solve the issue at a personal level, Georgians were already started implementing their regulations and lead tribes forcefully to make an agreement. The Native leaders then agreed and that it would not be possible to establish an opposition towards ending the trouble and agreeing to move to the west. The response of Andrew Jackson approved the Indian Removal Act. After holding several debates to discuss the issue and if the agreement reached would be favorable for Indians, it is in May 1830 that the Act became a law. In his speech, Andrew Jackson, argued that there should be an effort to take the chance and stipulate the Natives to move to the west because it would be better for America. He approaches the people and assures them that the removal is an excellent step towards the success of everyone moving to the west. In his whole speech, he kept the mindset that the removal of Indians is not all bad, and that anyone, if given opportunity, would do it, as it would lead creating a better civilization of America. This mindset stirred the American population, which was pleased with the removal. Basically, he was offering them the exact position they were interested in hearing.
As the Americans started the movement because of the land they won in lottery, and here they found different people of the Indian descent living in these places. The American at the time held claims about how Cherokee behaved and that they did not know anything and were below in everything they do compared to Americans. This presupposition led to several arguments about the Cherokees and their Euro-American supporters against Jackson Indians policy. Lack of distinction between Cherokee from other Native Americans is the first argument that the Cherokees had. Quite some number of these Americans did not understand their actions and took the removal of the Cherokees as the only way to solve their problems. As indicated by one of their memories, they tried to treat the Natives the best they could, but it was not enough. All that would end suffering or interfere with their sorrows was in their control, so they did all they could looking for reward and approval. These individuals believed in religion and honestly were convinced that such policy and their actions were the right way. As a result, removing the Indians proved the last resort in each case. This thought leads to an argument by the Cherokees that all that they were subjected to was not the best option if indeed the Americans were religious and were human. To Americans, Natives were complete strangers who could not be understood at all level. For many Euro-American supporters against Jackson’s Indian policy, the primary concern of Americans was expanding of their territory and obtaining land, truly this was the order of the day back then it was simple to conquer the neighbors and to take the resource which they have, but never the thoughts and feeling of the Cherokees harsh experience.
The Trial of Tears was as a result of Jackson’s presidency that put in place a law that led to a stressful and tireless journey away from home. The Native Americans were forcefully led by Jackson to relocate and move away from America. This policy resulted in the Native Americans not being in a position to live the life they loved and appreciated. It is not the president who began the idea of removing the Native Americans from their lands, but he was the first to develop this notion into a law. With the Cherokees being some of the tribes that were supposed to move, they had to do with tears and sorrow. The main reason for Americans driving the Natives of the land is the gold that was discovered in the land where the Native Americans were living, it should be noted that gold was one of the precious material seed for trade and a number of the people used it as a store of wealth. This find resulted in an increase in greed among white settlers.
To conclude, the Cherokees experience to a great extent support the myth of the vanishing Indian. Invaded by Georgians, pressured by those in power, there was no alternative for the Cherokees than to go into a table of negotiation. The myth of the vanishing Indian can be confirmed to be true because of the removal of the Cherokees, which became inevitable after the new American generation soon declared it. Many from Georgia were determined to achieve the removal of the Indians because of the fear of the vanishing Indian. After the treaty that was signed with the Cherokees, the American history was changed forever, removing the Indian tribe from the territory that was enjoyed and developed by the Americans.