The Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears refers to a series of forced relocations of Native American tribes, notably the Cherokee, in the 1830s. Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, thousands were forced to leave their ancestral lands in the Southeastern United States and march to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. The journey was marked by extreme hardship, including disease, exposure, and starvation, leading to thousands of deaths. This tragic event highlights the impact of U.S. government policies on Native American communities and is a significant part of American history, reflecting themes of displacement and injustice.