Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was the intended purpose of the Indian Removal Act in terms of U.S. policy?

1. To promote Native American sovereignty

2. To facilitate westward expansion

3. To prevent conflict with Mexico

4. To strengthen cultural exchange

The correct answer is: To facilitate westward expansion

The Indian Removal Act, enacted in 1830, was primarily aimed at facilitating westward expansion for the United States. This policy was rooted in the belief that the nation's growth and prosperity depended on increasing agricultural land, which was often located in territories inhabited by Native American tribes in the southeastern United States. By relocating Indigenous peoples to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River, the government sought to open up these fertile lands for American settlers. The act aligned with the broader doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which held that it was the United States' destiny to expand its territory across North America. The removal of Native American tribes was seen as a necessary step to ensure the safety and productivity of American settlers and to pave the way for agricultural and economic growth in the newly accessible lands. In contrast, promoting Native American sovereignty, preventing conflict with Mexico, and strengthening cultural exchange were not core objectives of the Indian Removal Act. These aspects would have conflicted with the underlying motive of displacing Native Americans and overcoming their established land rights in service of American expansionist desires.