Andrew Jackson's Letters To The Cherokee
Andrew Jackson viewed himself as a friend to the Cherokee people because he always wanted what was best for the Cherokee and he thought of himself as a fatherly figure.
President Jackson always wanted what was best for the Cherokee people. He looked out for them by keeping their best interests in mind. Andrew Jackson positively keeps them in mind when he says, “[...] enable them to pursue happiness” (Doc 1). The president says the relocating of the Cherokee to the west is their best option. According to President Andrew Jackson, when the Cherokee move to the west they can live under their own circumstances leaving them with the freedom of happiness. In addition, they will slow the death of their religion and their people. He says all of these …show more content…
He nurtures the Cherokee like a father because he thinks of the Cherokee as his children. Andrew Jackson specifically identifies the Cherokee as his young ones. For example, the background information states, “[...] referred to them as ‘my dear children’” (Doc 6). Andrew Jackson would frequently document letters to the Cherokee people. He would often sign these letters with the words ‘your father’. Numerous times throughout the letter, Andrew Jackson would refer to the Cherokee as his children. “The Great White Father” illustrated Andrew Jackson carrying the young Cherokee as if representing himself as a parental guardian. Some might interpret this image negatively, as if Andrew Jackson doesn’t care about the Cherokee. However, this is not the case because in the photograph Andrew Jackson is cradling the baby Cherokee. This shows his passion and affection towards them. Being a father also means you have to give stern warnings for the welfare of your kids. President Jackson represents this point when he says, “Punishment will follow [...]” (Doc 4). President Jackson wanted to discipline the Cherokee so they don’t die out and lose their culture. Some of the Cherokee might have thought that they were being threatened by this, but in reality Andrew Jackson was being a stern father to them. He knew that Americans might try and force the Cherokee out, so he was giving his parental advice to the Cherokee to get them out of
President Jackson always wanted what was best for the Cherokee people. He looked out for them by keeping their best interests in mind. Andrew Jackson positively keeps them in mind when he says, “[...] enable them to pursue happiness” (Doc 1). The president says the relocating of the Cherokee to the west is their best option. According to President Andrew Jackson, when the Cherokee move to the west they can live under their own circumstances leaving them with the freedom of happiness. In addition, they will slow the death of their religion and their people. He says all of these …show more content…
He nurtures the Cherokee like a father because he thinks of the Cherokee as his children. Andrew Jackson specifically identifies the Cherokee as his young ones. For example, the background information states, “[...] referred to them as ‘my dear children’” (Doc 6). Andrew Jackson would frequently document letters to the Cherokee people. He would often sign these letters with the words ‘your father’. Numerous times throughout the letter, Andrew Jackson would refer to the Cherokee as his children. “The Great White Father” illustrated Andrew Jackson carrying the young Cherokee as if representing himself as a parental guardian. Some might interpret this image negatively, as if Andrew Jackson doesn’t care about the Cherokee. However, this is not the case because in the photograph Andrew Jackson is cradling the baby Cherokee. This shows his passion and affection towards them. Being a father also means you have to give stern warnings for the welfare of your kids. President Jackson represents this point when he says, “Punishment will follow [...]” (Doc 4). President Jackson wanted to discipline the Cherokee so they don’t die out and lose their culture. Some of the Cherokee might have thought that they were being threatened by this, but in reality Andrew Jackson was being a stern father to them. He knew that Americans might try and force the Cherokee out, so he was giving his parental advice to the Cherokee to get them out of