The

devastating
effects of the
Trail of Tears
By: Ms.Williams
Intro video: Trail of Tears for kids documentary
After you have watched the video...
Infer: What do you think White Americans
could have done instead of forcing the
Natives from their homeland?

Type a brief response in the chat! :)

Overview
In the 1830’s, about 125,000 Indigenous people lived on many acres of
land in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida. This
land had been occupied for several generations. Unfortunately, by the
end of this decade, a very little number of Natives remained in those
states. Because of White settlers who wanted to grow cotton on Native
lands, the government forced them to leave their homelands and walk
1,000s of miles. They were forced across the Mississippi river to
designated “Indian territory,” this difficult journey is referred to as the
Trail of Tears.
Problem with the Natives
White Americans feared Native Americans and saw them as savages
because of their unique culture and traditions. White Americans were
so unfamiliar with the Natives that they tried to “White wash” them,
meaning they wanted to make them more civilized and white-like.
White Americans encouraged Natives to convert to christianity, learn
to speak and read english, and had them adopt many other white-like
styles and practices. Many tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, and
Cherokee) from the southeastern part of the U.S. embraced these
customs and became known as the “Five Civilized Tribes.”
Desperation
White Americans were so desperate to have the land the Natives
resided on that they stole livestock, burned and looted their houses
and buildings, and even murdered them. The state gov. joined in on
these heinous acts to get the Natives out of the South. States passed
laws limiting Native American rights on their own territory. Southern
states were so determined to take Native lands and would go to
extreme lengths to secure the territory.
Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal
In 1830, Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act. This Act
gave the federal government the power to exchange Native lands east
of the Mississippi river for land to the west. It also gave them the
power to force the Natives out of their homeland to new indian
territory. This Indian territory was located in what is now known as
present-day Oklahoma. In the Winter of 1831, with threats of invasion
by the U.S. army, the Choctaw tribe became the first to be expelled
from their land. Most completed the journey to Indian Territory on
foot, 1,000s of miles away, with no food, supplies, or help from the
government. Unfortunately, many died along the way.
The Trail of Tears
The Cherokee Tribe were divided. Some wanted to stay and fight for
their land, and others thought it would be best to agree and leave. By
1838, only about 2,000 Cherokees left their Georgia homeland for
Indian Territory. General Winfield Scott and 7,000 of his soldiers
were sent to expel them. The Gen. and his troops forced the Cherokee
into stockades while White Americans looted their homes and
belongings. They, then had the Natives march over 1,000 miles to
Indian Territory (Oklahoma). During this treacherous journey, it is
estimated that more than 5,000 Cherokee died as a result of diseases,
poor conditions, dangerous paths, and starvation.
Blooket Review!