Thursday, October 22: Andrew Jackson's Removal Speech questions

  

Light of the World Church is distributing 40 lbs. of food this Saturday, October 24th.  There is no income or identification requirement.  1 box per carload/family.  This will be this Saturday starting at 9am until supplies last. 

 

Light of the World AG

200 Child St. 

Rochester, NY  14611

At this point I should have received your graphic organizers, unless you received extended time.

Some still need to be graded and recorded.

As a class today, you are reviewing the text one last time for 8 content questions with supporting evidence. 

Please copy the following questions onto a google doc. 

 When we have finished, share with me. Press share and then my name in the drop down menu.

Below is another copy of the text.

Paragraph 1

"It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent (1) policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation.(2) Two important tribes have accepted the provision (3) made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages. 

                        Paragraph 2

The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. The pecuniary(4) advantages which it promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations. It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the General and State Governments on account of the Indians. It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier and render the adjacent (5) States strong enough to repel future invasions without remote aid. It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama of Indian occupancy, (6) and enable those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions; will retard (7) the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community. [1] 

1. Benevolent (adjective): well-meaning 

2. completion

 3. a provided thing, usually necessary for surviva

 4. relating to money

 5. Adjacent (adjective): next to or adjoining something else

 6. the act of dwelling in a place 7. an archaic term that was used to describe the process of slowing down or delay 

7. slow

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       Paragraph 3

What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages(8) our extensive Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms embellished with all the improvements which art can devise or industry execute, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization and religion? 

    Paragraph 4

The present policy of the Government is but a continuation of the same progressive change by a milder process. The tribes which occupied the countries now constituting the Eastern States were annihilated or have melted away to make room for the whites. The waves of population and civilization are rolling to the westward, and we now propose to acquire the countries occupied by the red men(9) the South and West by a fair exchange, and, at the expense of the United States, to send them to land where their existence may be prolonged and perhaps made perpetual. Doubtless it will be painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more than our ancestors did or than our children are now doing? To better their condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects. Our children by thousands yearly leave the land of their birth to seek new homes in distant regions. Does Humanity weep at these painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and facilities of man in their highest perfection. These remove hundreds and almost thousands of miles at their own expense, purchase the lands they occupy, and support themselves at their new homes from the moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in this Government when, by events which it cannot control, the Indian is made discontented in his ancient home to purchase his lands, to give him a new and extensive territory, to pay the expense of his removal, and support him a year in his new abode? How many thousands of our own people would gladly embrace the opportunity of removing to the West on such conditions! If the offers made to the Indians were extended to them, they would be hailed with gratitude and joy.

         Paragraph 5

And is it supposed that the wandering savage has a stronger attachment to his home than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation,(10) General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement." 

8.. 

Though commonplace at the time — indeed, it is even used in the U.S. Declaraction of Independence — the term "savages" in reference to indigenous peoples is both archaic and considered highly offensive.

 9. An archaic term, now considered very offensive, for Native Americans

 10. Annihilation (noun): the complete destruction of something

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COPY THE FOLLOWING ONTO A GOOGLE DOC, COMPLETE and SHARE. YOU WILL SEE MY NAME DOROTHY.PARKER@rcsdk12.org in the drop down; there is also the 2006630 number. either works!

Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer. Mark your letter response next to the number at the start of each question.

   1._______________

1. What does Andrew Jackson announce to Congress?

2. _________

2

3._________________

3.

                4__________

4.

            5________

5. According to Jackson, whom will the removal of the Native Americans benefit?

A. White Americans will benefit the most from this removal, as it will allow them to spread into the land previously occupied by Native American tribes

 B. Jackson claims Native Americans will benefit from their own removal, for the act will guarantee their nations sovereignty.

 C. The States will benefit the most from the removal of Native Americans, as it will allow them to strengthen their power without federal restrictions.

 D. Jackson claims this act will benefit everyone—the country, the states, and both the white and Native populations—in a number of ways, such as in wealth and in prosperity.

           6_______

 6. PART A: Which of the following best describes the word choice Jackson uses to the describe Native Americans?

 A. The word choice Jackson uses to describe Native Americans is respectful though a bit crude, as was commonplace in his time. 

B. The word choice Jackson uses to describe Native Americans is considered offensive, for he describes them as uncivilized and “savage.”

 C. The word choice Jackson uses to describe Native Americans is paternal, or father-like.

 D. The word choice Jackson uses to describe Native Americans is similar to how he describes white Americans: full of potential and hope.

     7.__________

 7.  PART B: Which of the following best supports the answer to Part A?

 A. “Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.” (Paragraph 1) 

B. “It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way….” (Paragraph 1) 

C. “…and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.” (Paragraph 2)

 D. “To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.” (Paragraph 5)

  8._______

8.  What does Jackson's word choice reveal about his point of view regarding the Native Americans in this speech?

 A. It reveals that Jackson regards the Native Americans as lesser and “uncivilized,” and therefore he needs them to be removed and/or more like white Americans.

 B. It reveals that Jackson regards the Native Americans as children who need guidance.

 C. It reveals that Jackson regards the Native Americans as equals but is himself being pressured into the removal by the States.

 D. It reveals that Jackson regards the Native Americans tribes as separate powers and therefore a threat.