Trail of Tears - History 1&2

In 1830 the US passed a law called the Indian Removal Act. This gave the US government the right to force Native American tribes to move.  They were removed from their homelands and forced to travel west to “Indian Territory.”  

Many tribes moved without major protest, but the Cherokee took their case to the US Supreme Court and won their right to govern themselves and their land.  Unfortunately, President Andrew Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling. He directed the US Army to capture and force the Native Americans to move.  

More than 4000 Cherokees died on the journey.   Sadly, once they arrived in the land “reserved” for them by the US government, the soldiers left them without adequate supplies, leading to even more deaths.

In class activities:

• Learned about the history of tension between European and Native Americans
• Discussed the word 'cede'
• Learned about Manifest Destiny
• Discussed the three parts of the US government
• Made our own Trail of Tears leather bracelets
• Mapped the Trail of Tears
• Created sad paper dolls to remind us of the suffering of the children along the trail

Optional lesson extension activities:

• Read first hand accounts of the Trail of Tears at this site - there are some really amazing quotes that drive home the personal tragedy in this story
• Take a look at the slideshow on this page.  Notice how the Native Americans dress.
• Read Trail of Tears by Michael Burgan
• Experience life as a Native American with this interactive game.

Assignment:

• Read timeline cards 7, 8, & 9
• Practice your timeline