On your activity sheet, list at least 5 things that this painting shows about their experience. Now, examine the following painting that illustrates the Cherokee people on their way to Indian Territory. Also, speculate as to some of the possible long-term effects of this action on the Cherokee people. On your activity sheet, take notes about specific things that happened on the Trail of Tears that he remembers. Read the oral history of Samuel, regarding his memories of the Trail of Tears.
On your activity sheet, how is the removal of the Cherokee people different from other eastern tribes? Next, explore the general effect of the Indian Removal Act on eastern Native American tribes, as well as the background to the Trail of Tears. On you activity sheet, find at least 3 examples of how Jackson “justifies” the Indian Removal Act.Īndrew Jackson’s 7th Annual Message to Congress, December 7, 1835 Students will explore oral histories and visual evidence to determine the impact of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee Culture.Ĭompare the following maps that illustrate the land holdings of the Cherokee people at specific times in history and answer the question on your activity sheet.Ĭherokee Lands prior to European ColonizationĬherokee Lands at the end of the American RevolutionĬherokee Nation of Oklahoma (Boundaries and Districts in Indian Territory)īased on the maps, what observations can you make about the extent of Cherokee lands from the time period before European colonization through the mid 19th century? What do you think are possible reasons for the changes?īriefly scan Andrew Jackson’s 7th Annual Message to Congress regarding Indian Removal. Students will compare official documentation of Cherokee land holdings before colonization through the mid 19th century to determine the impact of European settlement on the Cherokee people. This event, known to the Cherokee as “The Trail Where They Cried”, is better known as the Trail of Tears in U.S. 1838 called in federal troops in to “escort” approximately 15,000 Cherokee people to their new home in Indian Territory. The Court decided in favor of the Cherokee, however, the President and Congress forced the Native Americans to give up their land. Georgia tried to reclaim this land in 1830, but the Cherokee protested and took the case to the U.S. In 1828, not only did whites for settlement purposes desire their land, but gold was discovered.
The Cherokee Nation was allocated land in Georgia as a result of the 1791 treaty with the U.S. Though the Native Americans were to be compensated, this was not always done fairly and in some cases led to the further destruction of many of the already diminishing numbers of many of the eastern tribes.
In 1830 Congress, urged on by President Andrew Jackson, passed the Indian Removal Act which gave the federal government the power to relocate any Native Americans in the east to territory that was west of the Mississippi River.
The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears: Cause, Effect and Justification by Angela Darrenkamp Students use maps, excerpt of a Presidential speech, oral testimony, and a painting to examine the political reasoning behind the Indian Removal Act as well as the public portrayal and personal impact of the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee nation