Trail of Tears
In 1838 and 1839, because of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee nation was forced to give up its lands eastern of the Mississippi River and journey to a region in present-day Oklahoma. They were encamped at the forts and military posts. The Cherokee people called this the "Trail of Tears," because of its horrible effects.
The Cherokees faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. The U.S army moved over 15,000 Cherokee west during the winter of 1838-1839. Over 4000 people died out of 15,000. The land that used to be owned by the Cherokee is now owned by white farmers. The only a few scattered groups of Indian peoples, including the Seminoles of Florida, remained. They had very little hope for the survival of their Indian culture.
The Cherokees faced hunger, disease, and exhaustion on the forced march. The U.S army moved over 15,000 Cherokee west during the winter of 1838-1839. Over 4000 people died out of 15,000. The land that used to be owned by the Cherokee is now owned by white farmers. The only a few scattered groups of Indian peoples, including the Seminoles of Florida, remained. They had very little hope for the survival of their Indian culture.