In the 1830s, the U.S. created a policy that was aimed towards the Indians. It was the removal. The gov’t had propaganda that helped support their actions. They portrayed the Indians as being savages, and that they were standing in the way of progress. By removing them they were progressing. A legislation named “Indian Removal Act”, gave legal merit to this policy. This policy resulted in Native Americans being moved to reservations. It also resulted to the devastating “Trail of Tears”. This act did have alternatives; they were even considered by many whites and natives.
It was 1830. The decision to pass the Indian Removal Act was underway, the cries and wails of the Native Americans from outside were heard all throughout the Capitol. Congress was having difficulty passing the law. They knew that passing this would lead to a mass migration in which many would die of illness and hunger. No one would be able to sleep at night with that hanging over their heads. So there they were, sitting in silence surrounded by the screams of thousands of Native Americans. Breaking the quiet atmosphere, congressman David Crockett spoke up, “I just wish we had another to choose from. That way we could be certain it’s the right choice.” Everyone lifted their heads with both eyebrows raised. “That’s it!” screamed a congressman Isaac Parker. “We can give the Indians a chance to make up a policy. Then, we can see which one is better. David, you weren’t always the sharpest, but this will go down in history under your name!” The congressmen all gathered together on the capitol’s steps to confront the Native Americans. “Hello my fellow Native Americans. We have come to the decision that we will allow you to make up your own policy. Then, we will make our decision as to which will be passed. The Indian tribe leaders (i.e. John Ross, Sitting Bull, Geronimo) all got together to form a treaty that would benefit them in the long run.
The Native American’s policy was named “People of the Same Land Treaty”. This treaty was meant to make peace between the Native Americans and the whites. The document said that each state had a border line. That borderline divided each state down the middle. That way each side could get both sides of a state; not the Whites or Indians having full states to them. The Native Americans wasn’t trying to focus on “racial harmony”. They just wanted things to be equal. The gov’t took action by first establishing the borders in the states. However, they would allow trading to go on between the borders. Any case of someone crossing the borders would get fined. If any harm was done to either side, then that person, or group would be sent to court for trial.
The Native Americans would live happily because things would’ve gone their way. Sharing land with the Whites while they stay on their land. Also, anyone that would no abide by these rules would be punished. This outcome is the complete opposite of what really happened. The Native Americans didn’t get a say in this migration. They didn’t get a chance to make the rules. They also weren’t allowed to stay on their land. The outcome I created would have been a better outcome for the Native Americans because they wouldn’t have had to move from their land to a barren one.