Indian Removal Act

Why did the United States fight or negotiate with dozens of Indian groups for the lands in the Louisiana Territory? 


The United States fought/negotiated with dozens of Indian groups for the lands in the Louisiana Territory because the US demand for land was strong. The Americans needed more space with all of the people that they had. They tried to civilize the Native Americans but it just didn't work out, and they mostly just got in the way. It was much easier to just negotiate with them for their lands. Unfortunately, most of the tribes were not okay with the circumstances of this negotiation. These tribes in the end were given an ultimatum to move willingly with compensation or be forced out of their homes. This is when the United States started fighting with the Indians rather than continuing on negotiating with them.


2. In what ways did the Cherokees assimilate U.S. values and customs?


The Cherokees assimilated U.S values and customs in many ways. First off, they created a republic modeled on the government of the Americans. They did this because they saw how successful it was with all of the powerful Americans around them, and decided to try it for themselves. Next, the farmers of this tribe began to grow cotton. Some even used slaves in their plantations just like the whites, another assimilation from the Americans. Lastly, they adopted a written constitution in 1827 declaring itself an independent nation, similar to the United States' constitution.