The Indian Removal Act: Where are the Civilized Tribes Now?

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Where are they now? In the 1830s, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act which forcibly relocated the 5 “Civilized” Indian Tribes: Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole. Even though they were slowly integrating American culture and were showing great progress toward civilization. The Indians were forced to adapt to the new, foreign environment they were sent to or be killed by American soldiers because for one they were considered “dangerous savages”. To them their environment shaped their sense of identity, so when they were relocated they had a undergo a drastic change to survive which had great effects on the tribes’ futures. For example, the Cherokee are currently divided into three groups because of the Indian Removal Act:Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees. The Indian Removal Act had great historical effects on the 5 “Civilized” Tribes, since it caused tension between them and the Americans, it changed how they lived their lives, and it had negative effects on their economy.
One effect the Indian Removal Act caused is the increased tension between the Americana and the Indians. The Indians like the Cherokee weren’t very pleased to hear about the removal act. Prior to the removal act, the Americans and Cherokees signed treaties that protected the Indians’ land and recognized them as an independent nation. However, the Americans used the treaty to gain their land, but when that failed they even violated the treaty and Supreme Court rulings to get the land the Americans desired. This breached the Indians’ trust for their land was never protected and their voice as an independent nation was ignored. To the Indians, who lived on their land for generation, it ...

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...ip between the Americans and Indians worsened, altered the Indians’ way of life, and caused unfavorable effects resulting in a recession for the Indians. The Cherokee are scattered all over the world, but many of them had gathered in communities in clusters especially in North Carolina and Oklahoma. The Choctaws are still alive and well as their nation is continually expanding. The Chickasaws nation is currently economically strong and its people are still dedicated to the preservation of family, community, and heritage. The Seminole still exist today and they live in Oklahoma and as the minority in Florida. They adopted a form of constitution form of government and they’re survival was made through their efforts in agriculture and selling crafts. Despite the troubles the 5 “Civilized” Tribes faced in the past their heritage, culture, and traditions still live on.

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