Indian Removal Act and Trail of tears
On May 28, 1830 congress passed the Indian Removal Act, during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. This authorized the president to negotiate with Native American tribes in the southern United States for them to be removed to federal territory west of the mississippi river in exchange for their ancestral homelands.
How did Native Americans react?A few tribes went peacefully, but many tribes refused. During the fall and winter of 1838 and 1839 the Cherokees were forced out by the United States government. They thought it was unfair and that they should be able to keep their traditional homeland.
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Trail of TearsApproximately 4,000 Cherokees died on this forced march thus began the "Trail of Tears". They faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion. In the winter since it was hard to hunt for buffalo and deer, they drank two cups of hot water and ate corn bread and one turnip everyday.
See more information on "Significance" tab. |
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