Trail of Tears

Definition

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This event led to the death of thousands of Native Americans during the journey to their designated 'Indian territory' in the West.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Trail of Tears consisted of multiple routes and journeys taken by the 'Five Civilized Tribes' - the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole - to reach their designated lands in the West.
2. Thousands of Native Americans died from exposure, disease, and starvation during the forced marches, which covered hundreds of miles in harsh conditions.
3. The Cherokee Nation's journey, known as the 'Trail Where They Cried', was one of the most devastating, with an estimated 4,000 Cherokee perishing en route.
4. The Indian Removal Act was championed by President Andrew Jackson, who believed Native Americans were hindering westward expansion and 'civilization' of the continent.
5. The forced relocation and mistreatment of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears is considered one of the most significant human rights violations in U.S. history.

Review Questions

• Describe the key events and impact of the Indian Removal Act that led to the Trail of Tears.
  • The Indian Removal Act of 1830, championed by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the federal government to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American tribal homelands in the southeastern United States for lands west of the Mississippi River. This forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the death of thousands of Native Americans from exposure, disease, and starvation during the arduous journeys. The 'Five Civilized Tribes' - the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole - were the primary targets of this policy, which was driven by the desire to open up land for white settlement and 'civilize' the continent.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the Trail of Tears on Native American communities and culture.
  • The Trail of Tears had a devastating and long-lasting impact on Native American communities and culture. The forced relocation and loss of life during the journeys decimated tribal populations and disrupted traditional ways of life. Many Native Americans were separated from their ancestral lands and forced to adapt to unfamiliar environments in the West. This displacement eroded cultural practices, language, and social structures, leading to a significant loss of identity and self-determination for these tribes. The Trail of Tears is considered one of the most egregious human rights violations in U.S. history, as it directly contributed to the erosion of Native American autonomy and the suppression of indigenous cultures.
• Evaluate the role of the federal government and President Andrew Jackson in the implementation of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears.
  • The federal government, under the leadership of President Andrew Jackson, played a central role in the implementation of the Indian Removal Act and the subsequent Trail of Tears. Jackson, a strong proponent of westward expansion and 'civilizing' the continent, championed the act as a means to open up land for white settlement and remove perceived obstacles to progress. The government negotiated treaties with Native American tribes, often through coercion and broken promises, to forcibly relocate them to designated 'Indian territory' in the West. The military was deployed to enforce these removals, leading to the death of thousands of Native Americans during the arduous journeys. The federal government's actions during this period represent a grave violation of human rights and a failure to uphold its obligations to protect the sovereignty and well-being of indigenous populations.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the president to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American tribal homelands for lands west of the Mississippi River.

Cherokee Nation: One of the 'Five Civilized Tribes' that were forcibly relocated along the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation had developed a written language and constitutional government prior to their removal.

Indian Territory: The area west of the Mississippi River that was designated for Native American tribes to be relocated to under the Indian Removal Act.