Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Jackson- Defying and Abiding the constitution
Through Jackson's interactions with Native Americans, Jackson greatly defied the ideals of Democracy. Since there is little mention of protecting Native Americans in the constitution, Jackson did very little to defy the constitution through his actions. However, the American ideals of Democracy-freedom, justice, and so on- were infringed upon by Jackson several times while dealing with the issue of Native Americans. By endorsing and letting congress pass the Indian Removal act of 1830. This act, which outlined an emigration plan removing Native Americans east of the Mississippi to a territory near present day Oklahoma, was actually considered a policy favoring Native Americans by Jackson. It was not, however, and this was evidenced by the results of the trail of tears- the path Native Americans took, and the multiple Native American uprising, notably the Seminole uprising in the everglades, that resulted from the institution of this policy. Although the constitutionality such an egregious denial of rights to people is questionable, the Democratic principles in question are undeniable. Thus, Jackson by endorsing the Indian Removal act of 1830, defied the ideals of American Democracy.
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