Native+American+Removal+ab

In 1830 Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which helped the states move the Native Americans to largely empty regions west of the Mississippi River. The Cherokee in Georgia fought back trying to gain legal recognition of their territorial rights. Jackson refused to carry out the decision. In 1838 Jacksons successor sent in army to move out the cherokee. About 2,000 people died in the camps while waiting for the westward march. On teh journey known as the Trail of Tears about 2,000 others died of starvation, disease, and exposure. By 1838 the majority of Native Americans still living east of the Mississippi had been forced onto government reservations.