How did the discovery of gold at Dahlonega impact Cherokee removal?

The discovery of gold at Dahlonega significantly accelerated the process of Cherokee removal from their ancestral lands. Once gold was discovered in 1828, it sparked a rush of non-Native settlers who were eager to mine the area for its resources. This influx of miners and settlers intensified pressure on the federal and state governments to remove the Cherokee people, who were legally residing in the territory.

The desire for land among those seeking wealth led to increased tension and a sense of urgency regarding the removal of the Cherokee. Politically, this contributed to the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which facilitated the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their homelands to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Consequently, the gold discovery directly influenced public sentiment and governmental policy toward Cherokee removal, making this the correct choice.