Indian Removal Act.
PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS ESSAY
A primary source is an original, historical document created by someone with a direct
involvement in
or knowledge of context or events described within the body of the document. Examples may
include a speech, a personal letter, a law, a political pamphlet, a treaty, or eyewitness account,
among others. It is through these original documents that historians and researchers are able to
piece together the narrative history of the course of human events. Without direct, written
evidence of our history, our knowledge of the human experience would be limited to only the
broadest comprehension of general historical events.
There are many different ways to interpret a primary source document, and a multitude of ways
to be creative in the process. In some cases, this might involve telling a story; in other cases it
might involve a commentary on the language employed in the document; and in other cases that
interpretation might emerge from an attempt to assess motivation, intent, or purpose.
Never will simply describing what happened be sufficient as an historical interpretation of a
document.
In short, historians are always trying to discover both the meaning and the significance of a piece
of
historical evidence. Since that evidence usually consists of written documents, these document
analysis papers should also seek to find a balance between exposing meaning and significance of
the evidence.
By meaning, we are trying to reconstitute what that document might have meant (or how it might
have
been understood) by the historical figures in that era.
By significance, we mean to ask, “what is the importance of this subject in greater historical
narrative, as we study it in the present?”
Therefore, a good document analysis paper will focus upon both the text itself (with attention to
the
specifics and nuances of language used) and the context (the broader picture of the history of that
period that informs the document). It is this dual approach that separates the methods of
historians from those of other disciplines, such as literary criticism or positivist social science
(sociology or political science).
You must select a primary source written document (made between 1490 – 1990) and write a 6
page
paper (not including Works Cited Page) explaining the historical meaning and significance of the
document.
There are several locations in which you can search for an original historical document to write
about.
These include, but are not limited to:
U.S. Library of Congress
U.S. National Archives
Wikisource
Google Books
Google Scholar
JSTOR
EBSCO
You must then choose at least five secondary sources that discuss the content of your primary
source.
YOU MAY NOT use a blog, or Wikipedia as one of your secondary sources.
This is a formal essay and you are required to adhere to the writing standards of ace my homework – Ace tutors for Research Essay Pro UK Writings – APA
formatting.
While you should not simply attempt to systematically answer each question in series, you
should use them to help you develop a thoughtful and critical interpretation of the chosen source
material.
Basic Identification
1. What type of source is it? (newspaper article, map, letter, film, etc.)
2. When was it created?
3. Where was it created?
4. Who created it?
Author’s Intent
1. What is the author’s place in society? (profession, status, class, gender, ethnicity, etc.)
2. How might the factors listed in the question above shape the author’s perspective in this
source?
3. Why do you think the author created this source?
4. Does the author have an argument? If so, what is it?
5. Who is the intended audience for this source?
6. How might the intended audience shape the perspective of this source?
Historical Context
1. Under what specific historical circumstances was this source created?
2. What larger historical events, processes, or structures might have influenced this text?
3. Is this source consistent with what you know about the historical record from that time?
Content of the Source
1. What historical facts do you learn from this source?
2. What biases or other cultural factors might have shaped the message of this source?
3. How do the ideas and values in the source differ from the ideas and values of our time?
4. What historical perspectives are left out of this source?
5. What questions are left unanswered by this source?
Relevance of the Source
1. How might this source confirm or contradict issues raised in other primary sources?
2. How might this source confirm or contradict issues raised in secondary sources?
3. Do you think this source represent any patterns with other primary sources?
_________________________
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 is a primary source document that was signed into law by the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on May 28, 1830. The act authorized the removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to territories west of the Mississippi River. The law was a response to pressure from white settlers who wanted access to the fertile lands occupied by Native American tribes.
The author’s intent of the Indian Removal Act was to fulfill the desires of white settlers who wanted access to land owned by Native American tribes. Andrew Jackson and other supporters of the act believed that the relocation of Native American tribes would not only benefit white settlers but would also be beneficial for Native Americans. They believed that the relocation would allow Native Americans to live in an area without white interference, free to maintain their own cultures and traditions. However, the true intention was to acquire land and resources for white settlers.
Andrew Jackson’s place in society was as a wealthy plantation owner and military leader. His status and class as a white man in the United States influenced his perspective on Native American tribes and their rights to land. Jackson believed that Native American tribes were inferior to white settlers and that their way of life was incompatible with the progress of the United States.
The historical context of the Indian Removal Act was a period of westward expansion for the United States. White settlers were moving westward and needed access to land for farming and settlement. The Indian Removal Act was part of a broader effort by the United States government to acquire land and resources from Native American tribes.
The content of the Indian Removal Act revealed that Native American tribes were to be forcibly removed from their ancestral lands and relocated to territories west of the Mississippi River. The act did not provide for the consent of Native American tribes or respect for their rights. The biases and cultural factors that shaped the message of the source were the belief in white supremacy and the desire for access to land and resources.
The ideas and values in the Indian Removal Act differed from the ideas and values of our time. Today, there is greater recognition of the rights of Native American tribes and respect for their culture and traditions. The act was a product of a time when the United States was expanding westward and believed in the superiority of white culture.
The Indian Removal Act left out the perspectives of Native American tribes who were directly affected by the law. The act did not consider the cultural and social consequences of forced relocation and the impact it would have on Native American communities. Many tribes suffered greatly from the removal, including the Cherokee who were forced to make the journey on foot, known as the Trail of Tears.
The relevance of the Indian Removal Act can be seen in its connection to issues raised in other primary sources and secondary sources. Other primary sources reveal the resistance and opposition of Native American tribes to forced relocation. Secondary sources provide analysis and commentary on the impact of the act on Native American communities and its role in shaping the history of the United States.
In conclusion, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 is a primary source document that reveals the historical context and values of the time in which it was created. The act reflects the belief in white supremacy and the desire for access to land and resources that shaped the westward expansion of the United States. The act is significant in understanding the history of Native American tribes and the impact of forced relocation on their communities.
Works Cited
