Why did Andrew Jackson advocate for the relocation of Native Americans?

Andrew Jackson's advocacy for the relocation of Native Americans primarily stemmed from his desire to open land for white settlers. During his presidency in the early 19th century, there was significant pressure from both settlers and agricultural interests to expand westward as the nation sought new lands for farming and settlement. The existing populations of Native Americans were often viewed as obstacles to this expansion.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830, which Jackson supported, aimed to forcibly relocate various tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to territories west of the Mississippi River. This strategy was justified by the belief that such relocation would create more land available for white settlers, who were seen as essential for economic growth and the expansion of the United States.

The emphasis on land acquisition and the perceived need for expansion played a critical role in shaping U.S. policy toward Native Americans during this era, highlighting the conflicts between American settlers' ambitions and Native American rights. Other stated motivations, such as promoting assimilation or enhancing trade relations, did not hold as much weight in the context of Jackson's policies and the broader goals of westward expansion at that time.