What was the purpose of the Indian Removal Act of 1830?

• A. To grant citizenship to Native Americans
• B. To authorize the removal of Native Americans east of the Mississippi River
• C. To promote Native American self-governance
• D. To establish reservations

Answer: (B)

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was primarily designed to authorize the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands east of the Mississippi River to designated Indian Territory in the west. This act was driven by the desire for land, as American settlers sought to expand into areas previously occupied by Native Americans. Central to this policy was the belief that relocating Native Americans would resolve conflicts over land and facilitate the growth of American agriculture and settlement. The act led to the tragic removal of several tribes, including the Cherokee, through events such as the Trail of Tears, which saw thousands of Native Americans suffer and die during the journey. This removal policy reflected the broader context of Manifest Destiny and the period's pervasive attitudes toward Native American peoples.