1. The Indian Removal Act of 1830
The Indian Removal Act, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, gave the federal government authority to negotiate removal treaties with Native tribes. Despite fierce opposition in Congress and among the public, the act narrowly passed, reflecting a nation divided over its moral compass. Proponents argued it would resolve conflicts between settlers and Native communities, while critics denounced it as a blatant violation of Indigenous rights. History.com details how this act set in motion a tragedy of historic proportions.
