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Indian Removal Actand
the Trail of Tears
What is so special about this Alabama land?
In the early 1800s, White settlers wanted the land with rich soil to raise
cotton. The only problem was that land was already occupied by Indian tribes. These Indians were “standing
in the way of progress.”
What was the cause?In 1830, President Andrew Jackson passed
the Indian Removal Act. He claimed this would: separate the Indians and Whites and let Indians pursue happiness in their own rude and savage ways. Gradually,
they might be able to “cast off their savage habits and become an interesting,
civilized, and Christian community.”
Turn and tell your neighbor if you think Andrew Jackson’s intentions for the Indians were good or bad? Why?
Who and Where?
As part of the Indian Removal Act, the Cherokees were forced to give up their land east of the Mississippi
River and move to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.
Why do you think they chose a territory so far away for the Indians? Turn and tell your neighbor.
WEST
EAST
NORTH
SOUTH
When and How?
During the fall and winter of 1838-1839, the Cherokees marched west. They traveled the 800
mile journey by walking! They suffered from hunger, disease, exhaustion and harsh effects
from cold weather. It is estimated that ¼ died on this journey. They were not allowed to stop and
bury their loved ones. They had to carry the dead bodies until they reached that night’s camp.
Think about the members of your family-grandparents, small siblings. They have to also make this journey. Turn and tell your neighbor how your family would handle this situation.
How did they make them go?
Force was used to remove Indians whenever necessary. Many were
forced out of their homes by gunpoint. They were escorted along
the route by soldiers.
Turn and tell your neighbor what were your thoughts when some of your own classmates rebelled against the Chelsea Removal Act.
What was the effect?
This journey is called The Trail of Tears because of its devastating effects.
Painted by Robert Lindneux in 1942
What about the other Indian tribes?
Many other tribes were later forced on awful journeys like this, but the
Cherokees was the worst.
What did others think of this Act?
President Martin Van Buren, who came into office after Andrew Jackson,
claimed that, “The measures of the Removal have had the happiest
effect.” (1838)
• http://www.history.com/videos/jackson-cherokees-tariffs-and-nullification#jackson-cherokees-tariffs-and-nullification
Last Thoughts
“And what many Americans seemed to respect the least was their own constitution and the rights of a
culturally distinct minority.”
“We are overwhelmed; our hearts are sickened; our utterance is paralyzed, when we reflect on the
condition in which we are placed by the audacious practices of unprincipled men…”
-Memorial from the Cherokee Nation
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