The Indian Removal Act and Indigenous People of the Southeast
In the early 1800s, many Native American tribes lived in what is now Alabama and other Southeastern states. These tribes included the Muscogee Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole. They had their own lands, governments, and ways of life.
But as the United States grew, many white settlers wanted the land for themselves. They wanted space to build farms, especially for growing cotton. To get this land, the U.S. government passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. This law said that Native American tribes had to leave their homes and move west, to lands across the Mississippi River.
Some tribes tried to stay by making deals or fighting in court. Others were forced out by soldiers. The Choctaw were the first to be removed. Many suffered from hunger, sickness, and death on the long journey west. This became known as the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek were also forced to leave their lands.
In 1836, some Muscogee Creek people resisted removal during the Second Creek War. But after the fighting, even more Creek families were forced to leave Alabama. The Seminole in Florida fought to stay, too, leading to many years of war.
These policies and wars had a huge impact. Native Americans lost their homes, lands, and ways of life. The U.S. government gave their land to white settlers, who turned it into farms and plantations. While Alabama’s economy grew, Native American families suffered great losses.
Today, the Muscogee Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole nations still exist, but they mostly live outside of Alabama and other Southeastern states. They continue to keep their cultures and histories alive, even after all they endured.