Notes

FREEDOM AND OPPRESSION TDA
Jonah French

This document shows freedom for white people, but oppression for everyone else. In this document it was Andrew Jackson talking to congress about removing the Indians from their land. They wanted the Indians to move so that they could use the land.

In his speech Jackson referred to the Indians as "A few savage Hunters". He describes that they need the land so that they can help some states. He says that the land will "enable those states to advance rapidly in population wealth and power". He does not mention how the Indians will feel. He says that they are being generous towards them. He mentions that eventually they may be able to "cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community. He wants them to forget their religion, beliefs, and their customs to become more like them. He wants to oppress what they have in terms of land and force them to be like them.

He also states that they will "send them to land where their existence may be prolonged and perhaps made perpetual. What Jackson is essentially saying is that they are going to take their land from them and send them somewhere else, that they do not have a choice in the matter. He says that they are going to fully pay for their lands and "give him a new and extensive territory". He does not care about their conection with the land, in fact, he believes it will be good for them. He says "Doubtless it will be painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more (This makes no sense) than our ancestors did or then our children are doing now.

That is how this document shows both freedom, for the whites. And the document also shows oppression for the Indians. It shows that America believed that they could do whatever they want and that any other race or person had to listen to them, and be oppressed.