Question

Which best states the American Indian policies of presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson?
a.Jefferson supported assimilation, while Jackson supported removal.
b.Jefferson supported removal, while Jackson supported assimilation.
c.Both presidents supported assimilation rather than removal.
d.Both presidents supported removal rather than assimilation.

Answer 1

Even though the Indian Removal Act was proposed during the time of Thomas Jefferson, he supported assimilation and did not implement the Act.  He was a deep admirer of the Native Americans and wanted to promote trade with them as well as establish relations with them.  Andrew Jackson on the other hand implemented the act that led to the forceful removal of Indians from their ancestral land.  He believed that this was inevitable as more white people wanted to expand to other territories.  This resulted in many Indians dying as they left their homes  as well as conflicts that aroused between soldiers and Indian tribes.

Answer 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Jefferson supported removal, while Jackson supported assimilation.