Trail of Tears

Quick Facts: Who was Trail of Tears?

Subject:

Trail of Tears

Known for:

Forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Southeastern Native American tribes (1830-1850).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Trail of Tears was the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of about 60,000 Native Americans of the "Five Civilized Tribes", including their black slaves, between 1830 and 1850 by the United States government. As part of Indian removal, members of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States to newly designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River after the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830. The Cherokee removal in 1838 was the last forced removal east of the Mississippi and was brought on by the discovery of gold near Dahlonega, Georgia, in 1828, resulting in the Georgia Gold Rush. The relocated peoples suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation while en route to their newly designated Indian reserve. Thousands died from disease before reaching their destinations or shortly after.

Career & Major Achievements

A variety of scholars have classified the Trail of Tears as an example of the genocide of Native Americans; others categorize it as ethnic cleansing. In 1830, a group of Indian nations collectively referred to as the "Five Civilized Tribes" (the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole nations), were living autonomously in what would later be termed the American Deep South. The process of cultural transformation from their traditional way of life towards a white American way of life as proposed by George Washington and Henry Knox was gaining momentum, especially among the Cherokee and Choctaw. American settlers had been pressuring the federal government to remove Indians from the Southeast; many settlers were encroaching on Indian lands, while others wanted more land made available to the settlers. Although the effort was vehemently opposed by some, including U.S. congressman Davy Crockett of Tennessee, President Andrew Jackson was able to gain Congressional passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the government to extinguish any Indian title to land claims in the Southeast.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1831, the Choctaw became the first Nation to be removed, and their removal served as the model for all future relocations. After two wars, many Seminoles were removed in 1832. The Creek removal followed in 1834, the Chickasaw in 1837, and lastly the Cherokee in 1838. Some managed to evade the removals, however, and remained in their ancestral homelands; some Choctaw still reside in Mississippi, Creek in Alabama and Florida, Cherokee in North Carolina, and Seminole in Florida. A small group of Seminole, fewer than 500, evaded forced removal; the modern Seminole Nation of Florida is descended from these individuals.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1830: 1830 Milestone — The Trail of Tears was the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of about 60,000 Native Americans of the "Five Civilized Tribes", including their black slaves, between 1830 and 1850 by the United States government.
2. 1831: 1831 Milestone — In 1831, the Choctaw became the first Nation to be removed, and their removal served as the model for all future relocations.
3. 1832: 1832 Milestone — After two wars, many Seminoles were removed in 1832.
4. 1834: 1834 Milestone — The Creek removal followed in 1834, the Chickasaw in 1837, and lastly the Cherokee in 1838.
5. 1838: 1838 Milestone — The Cherokee removal in 1838 was the last forced removal east of the Mississippi and was brought on by the discovery of gold near Dahlonega, Georgia, in 1828, resulting in the Georgia Gold Rush.

Notable Quotes by Trail of Tears

“The emigration should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers...”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Trail of Tears

True or False: “Did Andrew Jackson invent the policy of Indian removal before his presidency?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text notes that ideas for Removal began prior to Jackson's presidency, and he described it as a policy 'pursued for nearly 30 years'.

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