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☆☆☆☆☆In 1830 President Andrew Jackson signed into law "The Indian Removal Act" which allowed or authorized the removal of the "Five Civilized Tribes" (Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), Chickasaw and Seminole) to "Indian Territory" (modern day Oklahoma).
In 1831 combined army, militia, and volunteer forces began to move these tribes along one of several routes to two forts located in Indian Territory: Fort Gibson and Fort Townson. The last tribe moved were the Cherokee in 1838. It should be noted that some tribes accepted bribes of money and or lands, while others did not and were forced under the threat of death - some of these rebelled resulting in armed conflict. During the move there were several way stations along the route, but not all had proper provisioning. For various reasons (from bad planning or indifference to intentional lack of concern, to malfeasant action), many Indians were not allowed or given access to proper food, medical supplies, warm clothing, nor allowed to rest for any significant period of time, which resulted in the deaths of many tribal members. These deaths were exacerbated by the untended dead left along the trail.
The native Americans began to call this trail or series of trails, the "Trail where they Wept / Cried" and it has been changed a little to "The Trail of Tears" by modern translation. The Arkansas Gazette quoted Thomas Harkins (a Choctaw) as saying "[it was] a trail of tears and death"
There were approximately 11 of these trails, taken by different tribes based upon location. They ranged in distance from 200 to 900 miles and went through 14 states (These distances do not include oversea travel):
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Florida
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Illinois
NUMBER OF DEATHS
The number of dead are only estimates, as there was no accurate count taken:
- Choctaw: 2,500 to 6,000
- Muscogee (Creek): No estimate
- Chickasaw: No Estimate - paid $530,000 dollars
- Cherokee: 4,000 to 15,000
The Seminole resisted movement and started a 'minor' war with the US. The first detachment of 110 US soldiers sent to move the Seminole were attacked and 107 were killed. The government marshaled 500 soldiers against the Seminole and the war lasted for 10 years, costing the US Government 20 million dollars. The US eventually gave up hunting through the swamps of Florida for stragglers. There are no other estimates of dead, on either side.
INCLUSION OF SLAVES (Negro slaves):
African American Slaves either as freedmen, as members of the tribes by marriage, or as slaves of the Indians, were forced to move with the Indians at this same time. The inclusion of these families led to the current conflicts of "[the] Freedmen" of the Cherokee nation.
*Please note that this is not intended to be an all-inclusive answer, it is a basic answer to the questions on the subject and could be expanded into a very large book.
His actions caused inflation to rise.
Their views were very different. After consolidating all the US foreign debt, the national debt and the state's debts (largely war costs), Hamilton saw the loans from Europe at 4 % instead of 6% as a breather for a few years while to give a chance for our economy to develop. He had set up a 'sinking fund' which was responsible for paying it off.
Jefferson abhorred a national debt and it was a very high priority to pay it off ASAP. Very noble but then we had no money available to keep our security strong at home and Britain was tempted to take advantage and thus led us to the War of 1812-14. Jefferson did not understand finances.
Jefferson also detested banks, the stock market, and manufacturing. He did not understand the value of their contribution. He denigrated Hamilton and his economic system. His first objective when he became president was to have his Secretary of Treasury, the esteemed Swiss Albert Gallatin, review all Hamilton's systems and root them out of being! After the review was done, Jefferson was told that the system was perfect and if you removed one part it would all fail. Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe all benefited from Hamilton's economic system throughout their 24 years of Presidencies.
The ironic thing is that Jefferson was only able to purchase the Louisiana Territory because of Hamilton's financial credit success. Most of it was obtained through European lenders.
Jefferson wanted to pay off the debt; Hamilton did not
The federal government was granted the right to enforce federal laws, including the collection of protective tariffs. This was a power the federal government had not held before.
women were supposed to influence their husbands and raise patriotic children
The supreme court
to encourage migration and free blacks to africa
The South had fewer large cities than the north.
