Brief Summary of Trial Witnesses

The Defense:
Andrew Jackson the defendant. First self-made man to become president. First war hero since Washington to become president.
Immensely popular with average American and views himself as their voice and advocate in government. Believes that a strong
president will keep the country together and that Indian Removal is the only way to ensure peace between white and native Americans.
General Winfield Scott career soldier. Scott was a distinguished general who served in the War of 1812 and was appointed by
Jackson to oversee Indian Removal. After a long career in the military, Scott was given the job of organizing the forced march of the
Cherokee Nation. Jackson and other Americans approved of Scotts approach to removal but Cherokee Indians were often treated like
prisoners and suffered greatly during the Trail of Tears.
John Rollin Ridge- member of a powerful, wealthy Cherokee family who signed the Treaty of New Echota, putting Indian Removal into
effect for the Cherokee. Believed, like Jackson, that removal was the best way to keep peace, retain freedom and Cherokee culture.
Grandson of John Ridge and witnessed his fathers murder by supporters of John Ross when he was 12.
Margaret (Peggy) Eaton Washington socialite. Young attractive woman who married AJs Secretary of War (Defense) but was
snubbed by Washington society. Jackson believing this was unfair, supported Eaton and ordered his cabinet to include her in their
social activities with their wives. When many refused, this was dubbed the petticoat war and led to the resignation of Ajs cabinet in
1831. John Calhoun, AJs VP continued to snub her and was replaced by Martin Van Buren in AJs 2d term in 1832.
Judge Roger B Taney Future Supreme Court Justice. Politician and lawyer who served in a wide variety of roles in both the state and
federal government. Strong supporter of states rights. Owned slaves but freed them. Strong Jacksonian democrat. Served as AJs
Attorney General and as his Secretary of the Treasury. Known to be one of AJs closest advisors. Appointed to the Supreme Court by
Jackson. Later known for his infamous Dred Scott decision on the issue of slavery.
The Prosecution
John C. Calhoun Congressman, Senator, Vice-President. Calhoun spent a career as a politician and served as the Vice President
during Jacksons first term in office. Though the two men began the term as partners, the Nullification Crises divided them. Calhoun
believed in states rights to nullify federal laws and resigned his job as Vice President when it became clear that Jackson opposed
nullification. Calhoun became such an opponent of Jackson that he stopped speaking to him and spent the rest of his time in office
trying to defeat Jackson.
Nicholas Biddle manager of the National Bank. Biddle was an upper class aristocrat from Philadelphia, the type of man that Jackson
hated. After a career as a diplomat and politician, Biddle became the leader of the National Bank. Biddle was a very effective leader
of the Bank but his beliefs about the economy clashed with Jacksons beliefs about the common man. After Jacksons veto of the
National Bank led to an economic depression, Biddle lost his personal fortune.
Cherokee Chief John Ross Elected Cherokee Chief who opposed removal. John Ross was 1/8 Native American and for most of his
life worked to find a way for the two communities to live side by side. Served in American Army during War of 1812, fought rival Creek
Tribe during the Creek War and negotiated land sales between America and other Indian Tribes. When the Indian Removal Act passed,
Ross tried legal ways to fight removal by filing a law suit. Despite his efforts and a winning Supreme Court case, the Cherokee were
forced out of Georgia and Ross and the rest of the Cherokee Nation were exiled to Oklahoma.
John Marshall - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Serving thirty-five years on the Supreme Court, Marshall shaped the Court into
a powerful check for the legislative and executive branches of American government at a crucial time in its history. He earned himself
the frustration of several presidents who did not want either their executive power affected by the judicial branch or to leave more
power in state hands. In the case of Worcester v Georgia, which involved Cherokee land rights, he faced on Andrew Jackson and found
in favor of the Cherokee- only to see Jackson and the state of Georgia refuse to enforce his ruling.
Henry Clay Congressman and Senator whose political skills earned him nickname "The Great Compromiser." Clay spent his early
career in the House of Representatives -- building power as Speaker of the House -- and was appointed twice to fill out terms in the
U.S. senate (1806-07 and 1810-11). He lost the hotly contested 1824 race for the presidency, but supported John Quincy Adams to
spite political enemy and Democratic Party nominee Andrew Jackson. Clay was a leader in the Whig party, but never again ran for the
presidency.