Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory

Claudio Saunt, the Richard B. Russell Professor in American History at the University of Georgia, discusses his new book Unworthy Republic: The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory, in which he explores how Native American expulsion became national policy and describes the chaotic and deadly results of the operation to deport 80,000 men, women, and children in order to secure new lands for the expansion of slavery and to consolidate the power of the southern states. In telling this gripping story, Saunt shows how the politics and economics of white supremacy lay at the heart of expulsion; how corruption, greed, and administrative indifference and incompetence contributed to the debacle of its implementation; and how the consequences still resonate today. Registration for this virtual event is required.

This virtual lecture is supported in part by Georgia Humanities, in collaboration with the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University, as part of Georgia Humanities’ Civic Engagement Track at the virtual Decatur Book Festival.