USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Jackson declared that removal would “incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier.” Clearing Alabama and Mississippi of their Indian populations, he said, would “enable those states to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power."

Detailed explanation-2: -Working on behalf of white settlers who wanted to grow cotton on the Indians’ land, the federal government forced them to leave their homelands and walk hundreds of miles to a specially designated “Indian Territory” across the Mississippi River.

Detailed explanation-3: -Starting in the 17th century, European settlers pushed Indigenous people off their land, with the backing of the colonial government and, later, the fledging United States.

Detailed explanation-4: -American Indians previously occupied the west and viewed settlers as invaders. Many heroic American Indians made courageous efforts to save their people.