The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. It authorized the relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to territories west of the Mississippi River. The act led to the forced migration of thousands of Native Americans, known as the Trail of Tears, which caused great suffering and loss of life. Key events include the passage of the act, negotiations with tribes, and the subsequent removal process that culminated in the 1838-1839 Trail of Tears.

Jackson strongly supported the Indian Removal policy. As president, he believed that relocating Native Americans was necessary for American expansion and to resolve conflicts over land. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law in 1830 and used his influence to enforce removal treaties, including the infamous Trail of Tears. His actions reflected his belief in manifest destiny and his desire to open lands for settlement and economic development.

Some viewed the Indian Removal as a necessary step for progress and expansion, while others condemned it for its cruelty and injustice. Native American tribes, especially the Cherokee, fought against removal through legal challenges, but many were forced to leave, enduring great hardship during the Trail of Tears. Historians debate the legacy of Jackson's policies, some emphasizing their role in American expansion, others criticizing their humanitarian cost.