Learning Targets: I can find parallels between the discrimination experiences of the Native Americans, Serena Williams and Claude McKay.
I can identify the theme or central idea in Andrew Jackson's Removal Speech
I can give examples of how imagery is used to develop the central idea or theme in Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal speech.
I can give examples of how diction is used to develop the theme or central idea in Andrew Jackson's removal speech.
I can give examples how point of view is used to develop the central idea or theme in Andrew Jackson's removal speech.
On Friday, as a class we listened and read along to Andrew Jackson's "Indian Removal "speech. This was followed by a handout of the speech on a graphic organizer that was paired with questions relating to diction (word choice- what as word means: denote, as opposed to connote), imagery and vocabulary.
In class today and Tuesday: Please take your time to complete the accompanying graphic organizer. Take your time; this work will go in the 50% writing category.
Note that there is an audio link below, after the vocabulary list. Use earbuds, if you wish to access this.
There is a class handout, but if you are absent, the organizer can be copied onto a google doc and shared:
(remember to give me permission to open the document!)
I
ANDREW JACKSON'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS ON 'INDIAN REMOVAL'
ANDREW JACKSON'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS ON 'INDIAN REMOVAL'
Though commonplace at the time — indeed, it is even used in the U.S. Declaraction of Independence — the term "savages" in reference to indigenous peoples is both archaic and considered highly offensive
.
ANDREW JACKSON'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS ON 'INDIAN REMOVAL'
LOOKING AT THE
TEXT THROUGH THE LENS OF DICTION (word choice) AND IMAGERY
Paragraph 1 "It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that
the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily
pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians
beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made
for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their
example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the
same obvious advantages. |
. 1. According
to Jackson, for how long has the government taken a kind policy in
encouraging the Indians to move? . 2.
What
phrase means a positive outcome? happy consummation . 3. What
word means to encourage or persuade? 4. What is implied by the word
removal? What is something else that you usually associate with
removals? 5. What
is implied when Jackson uses the phrase “obvious advantages”? |
Paragraph 2 The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the
United States, to individual States, and to the Indians
themselves. The pecuniary advantages which it
promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations. It puts an
end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the
General and State Governments on account of the Indians. It will
place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now
occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between
Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the
whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier and render
the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasions without remote
aid. It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama
of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly in
population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate
contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the
States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under
their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay, which is
lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the
protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to
cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and
Christian community. |
. 6. Why
does Jackson include “United States, to the individual States and Indians” in
the same sentence? 7. Why
does Jackson emphasize that the money benefits are not what is most
important? . 8. What
two opposing visual images are set up in the first bolded sentence? 9. What does Jackson predict will eventually happen to the
United States? Quote from text. 10. What is the particular advantage for Alabama and Mississippi? (Use
text) 11. Jackson points out advantages for the Indians, at the same time
insulting them. Moreover, since he is trying to sell the idea of the removal,
he flatters the American community. a. What insulting
words does he use to describe the native people? (text) b. With what praising
words does he describe the citizens of the United States? (text) |
Paragraph 3 What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and
ranged by a few thousand savages our extensive Republic, studded with cities,
towns, and prosperous farms embellished with all the improvements which art
can devise or industry execute, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy
people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization and
religion? |
This
paragraph is a question. 12. Why
does Jackson pose a question? 13. List
six of the many visual images within the paragraph. a. b. c. d. e. f. 14. What
is implied by the word “blessings”? |
Paragraph 4 The present policy of the Government is but a continuation of
the same progressive change by a milder process. The tribes which occupied
the countries now constituting the Eastern States were annihilated or have
melted away to make room for the whites. The waves of population and
civilization are rolling to the westward, and we now propose to acquire the
countries occupied by the red men the South and West by a fair exchange, and,
at the expense of the United States, to send them to land where their existence
may be prolonged and perhaps made perpetual. Doubtless it will be
painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more than our
ancestors did or than our children are now doing? To better their
condition in an unknown land our forefathers left all that was dear in
earthly objects. Our children by thousands yearly leave the land of their
birth to seek new homes in distant regions. Does Humanity weep at these
painful separations from everything, animate and inanimate, with which the
young heart has become entwined? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy
that our country affords scope where our young population may range
unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and
facilities of man in their highest perfection. These remove hundreds and almost thousands of miles at their
own expense, purchase the lands they occupy, and support themselves at their
new homes from the moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in this
Government when, by events which it cannot control, the Indian is made
discontented in his ancient home to purchase his lands, to give him a new and
extensive territory, to pay the expense of his removal, and support him a
year in his new abode? How many thousands of our own people would gladly
embrace the opportunity of removing to the West on such conditions! If the
offers made to the Indians were extended to them, they would be hailed with
gratitude and joy. |
15. What
word does Jackson use to put his audience at ease about this policy? 1
16. Jackson
references the original thirteen colonies and how there used to be Indians
there as well. What happened to them? Weave the text into a complete
sentence. Don’t forget your quotation marks. 17. What is implied
when Jackson says “waves of population and civilization are rolling?” 18. According
to the text, how might the Indians actually benefit from the removal? 19. Jackson
acknowledges that without doubt “it will be painful to
leave the graves of their fathers”, but the upside is “that our country
affords scope…and facilities of man in their highest perfection.” How is Jackson throwing shade at the
Indians here? He is insulting the Indians.
20. List
the two hardships, according to Jackson, that the European settlers had?
21. Jackson throws out the pity card when these are circumstances the
government “cannot control.” What is implied when he refers to the Indians as
being “discontented?” Write
a complete sentence. |
Paragraph 5 And is it supposed that the wandering savage
has a stronger attachment to his home than the settled, civilized Christian?
Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers than it is to
our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General
Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is
unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their
population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation,
General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the
whole expense of his removal and settlement." |
22. What
is implied by the adjective “wandering?” to describe the Indians? 23. Based upon the
text, under what circumstances could the Indians stay and not be removed from
the east? 24. What is implied when Jackson states
that the government “kindly offers him a new home? |