Sovereign Nation Era Ends 1800-1827

1820

First plans for Indian removal

Map of Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma in relation to Choctaw land ceded to the U.S. According to the Treaty of Doak's Stand, the area in orange was ceded to the U.S., and the area in green was ceded to the Choctaw nation. Image: Rob
Map of Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma in relation to Choctaw land ceded to the U.S. According to the Treaty of Doak's Stand, the area in orange was ceded to the U.S., and the area in green was ceded to the Choctaw nation. Image: Rob

With threats of genocide, the Treaty of Doak’s Stand is signed, and the Choctaw cede a section of their territory in Mississippi in exchange for lands in Arkansas and a portion of Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Chief Pushmataha accuses Andrew Jackson of deceiving them about the quality of land west of the Mississippi: “I know the country well…. The grass is everywhere very short, and for the game it is not plenty, except buffalo and deer…. There are but few beavers, and the honey and fruit are rare things.” Jackson replies: “Many of your nation are already beyond the Mississippi, and others are every year removing…. If you refuse … the nation will be destroyed” (Remini, 1998). On October 18, 1820, the chiefs sign the treaty under duress of genocide.

Settler Colonial Policy

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