Opposition to the federal government policy of removing Indians was widespread. In his diary, a U. S. soldier wrote, "The government is in the wrong, and this is the chief cause of the persevering opposition of the Indians, who have nobly defended their country against our attempt to enforce a fraudulent treaty. The natives used every means to avoid a war, but were forced into it by the tyranny of our government." Why did Andrew Jackson support Indian removal despite passionate and popular opposition?