Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma during the late 1830s. This journey, ordered by the U.S. government under the Indian Removal Act, resulted in severe hardship, suffering, and death for thousands of Native Americans due to harsh conditions, disease, and lack of supplies. The term symbolizes the devastating impact of U.S. policies on Native American communities and highlights a tragic chapter in American history.