Jackson's actions and beliefs were perhaps more complex than the brief history of this period we have been exposed to so far might suggest. Jackson was a complicated man, as are most historic figures let alone presidents. He fought against the Seminole and Creek Indians in Florida where he had routinely burned Indian houses and farms. It could be argued that the policy of Cherokee removal Jackson defended as humanitarian seemed more favourable than military intervention such as that undertaken in Florida at least in Jackson's own eyes. There is a strong argument that Jackson's willingness to compensate the Cherokee for their upheaval also represented a benevolent act by his own standards. However Jackson's motivations for "removal" stemmed from his plan to place" a dense and civilised population" in land he perceived to be "occupied by a few savage hunters" rather than out of a genuine humanitarian concern to protect the Cherokee.
Eurocentric racism expressed through the notion of ‘Manifest Destiny’, in conjunction with the innate Western desire for economic expansion, can be attributed to both the removal of the Cherokee natives and the Mexican-American War. Notable differences arise in the way in which America sought to control the respective peoples. Whilst the native Americans were driven further and further from their lands, Mexico remained open to travelers who “expressed respect for Latin American culture”, albeit violently.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJackson's actions and beliefs were perhaps more complex than the brief history of this period we have been exposed to so far might suggest. Jackson was a complicated man, as are most historic figures let alone presidents. He fought against the Seminole and Creek Indians in Florida where he had routinely burned Indian houses and farms. It could be argued that the policy of Cherokee removal Jackson defended as humanitarian seemed more favourable than military intervention such as that undertaken in Florida at least in Jackson's own eyes. There is a strong argument that Jackson's willingness to compensate the Cherokee for their upheaval also represented a benevolent act by his own standards. However Jackson's motivations for "removal" stemmed from his plan to place" a dense and civilised population" in land he perceived to be "occupied by a few savage hunters" rather than out of a genuine humanitarian concern to protect the Cherokee.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEurocentric racism expressed through the notion of ‘Manifest Destiny’, in conjunction with the innate Western desire for economic expansion, can be attributed to both the removal of the Cherokee natives and the Mexican-American War. Notable differences arise in the way in which America sought to control the respective peoples. Whilst the native Americans were driven further and further from their lands, Mexico remained open to travelers who “expressed respect for Latin American culture”, albeit violently.
ReplyDelete