Trail of Tears - Background

Introduction:

In 1838 and 1839, as part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands east of the Mississippi River and to migrate to an area in present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee people called this journey the "Trail of Tears," because of its devastating effects. The migrants faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. Over 4,000 out of 15,000 of the Cherokees died.

How is the Trail of Tears viewed differently by people at the time and in the modern era?

History:

This 26m documentary provides an overview of the event:

Geography:

Here is a map of the Trail of Tears:

History of the Cherokee Nation: Timeline