Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears

Rosie Jayde Uyola
5 days ago
6 min read

Target: I can explain how the U.S. government's actions led to the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation and describe the human consequences of this policy by analyzing government documents and a first-hand account.

Key Vocabulary

Indian Removal Act of 1830: A law signed by President Andrew Jackson that gave the government power to force Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to move to land west of the Mississippi River.
Sovereign (Nation): A self-governing group or nation that has the power to rule itself, make its own laws, and is not controlled by an outside government.
Assimilate: The process of a person or group adopting the culture, language, and customs of another, larger group, often losing their own original identity.
Displacement: The act of forcing people or a community to leave their homes or homeland against their will.
"Trail of Tears" (1838-1839): The specific forced march of the Cherokee Nation from their homes in the Southeast to "Indian Territory" (now Oklahoma). Thousands died from disease, starvation, and cold.

Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes)

Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 5-8 sentence response.

Prompt: What does it mean for a group of people to be a "sovereign" or independent "nation"? If a much larger, more powerful nation wants the land that this sovereign nation lives on, what options does the smaller nation have? Explore their possible choices and challenges.

Sentence Starter: To be a "sovereign nation" means... If a more powerful nation wanted their land, the smaller nation's options might include... Some challenges they would face are...

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Part 2: Analyzing the Sources

Directions: Analyze the three documents below and then answer the questions that follow.

Document 1: President Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress, "On Indian Removal" (Adapted Excerpt, 1830)

Original Text	Simplified Text
It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the generous policy of the United States, which we have pursued for nearly thirty years in relation to the removal of the Indians, is approaching a happy conclusion.	I am happy to tell Congress that our kind plan for moving the Indians, which we've had for 30 years, is almost finished.
The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States... and to the Indians themselves. It will... enable those States to advance in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; and enable them to pursue happiness in their own way.	Moving the Indians quickly will be good for everyone. It will help the states grow richer and more powerful. It will separate Indians from white people, get them away from state laws, and let them live how they want.
Humanity has often wept over the fate of the native people... as... many tribes have disappeared. But what good person would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages to our great Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms...?	People have felt sad as Indian tribes disappeared. But who wouldn't prefer our great country—with its cities and farms—over a giant forest run by a few thousand "savages"?
This removal is not cruel or unjust. To the Indians themselves, the removal promises great advantage. They will be free from the control of the States... and can live under their own laws... and become an educated and civilized people.	This move isn't cruel. It's actually a big advantage for the Indians. They will be free from state laws and can rule themselves and become "civilized."

Document 2: Worcester v. Georgia, Supreme Court Decision (Adapted Excerpt, 1832)

Original Text	Simplified Text
From the beginning of our history, the Cherokee Nation has been recognized as a distinct, independent political community, separate from the other states.	The Cherokee Nation has always been seen as its own independent, self-governing group, separate from any state.
The Cherokee nation, then, is a distinct community, occupying its own territory, in which the laws of Georgia can have no force. The whole relationship between the United States and this nation is... given to the government of the United States.	The Cherokee are their own community on their own land. Georgia's laws have no power there. Only the U.S. federal government (not the states) can deal with the Cherokee Nation.
The Act of the State of Georgia, which interferes with the Cherokee Nation, is therefore void. It is hostile to the Constitution... The Cherokee people have a right to their own lands, independent of the state of Georgia.	Therefore, Georgia's law about the Cherokee is illegal and "void" (meaning it doesn't count). It goes against the Constitution. The Cherokee have a right to their land, and Georgia can't stop them.

(Note: President Jackson famously ignored this ruling, reportedly saying, "John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.")

Document 3: Account of the Trail of Tears by Evan Jones (Adapted Excerpt, 1838)

Original Text	Simplified Text
The Cherokee are nearly all prisoners. They have been dragged from their houses and forced into camps at bayonet point. Their property was seized by white men, who came in like vultures to grab whatever they could.	Almost all the Cherokee are prisoners. They were forced from their homes with guns ("at bayonet point"). Their belongings were stolen by white men who acted like vultures, taking everything.
The removal has been carried out with the most severe cruelty. The people were forced from their homes with no time to take anything with them. Families are separated.	This removal is being done in a very cruel way. People were forced to leave without any of their belongings. Families are being split up.
We have a large group of the sick and helpless. The camps are filled with sick and dying people. The children, in particular, are suffering... The death toll is rising.	Many people are sick and helpless. The camps are full of dying people, especially children. The number of deaths is growing.
The forced removal of these people to the West will be a story of such great suffering. The memory of this cruelty will be passed down to future generations. We are witnessing a great tragedy.	This forced move will be remembered as a story of terrible suffering. People will talk about this cruelty for generations. We are watching a horrible event.

Analysis Questions

Directions: Answer questions 1-3 on your own.

Then, work with a partner to answer question 4.

1. According to President Jackson (Source 1), what are two reasons he uses to justify the Indian Removal Act? (What words does he use to make it sound positive?)

Sentence Starter: President Jackson justifies removal first by arguing that it will... He uses positive words like "generous" and "happy" to... A second reason he gives is...

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2. According to the Supreme Court (Source 2), how does their decision directly disagree with the Indian Removal Act and the laws of Georgia?

Sentence Starter: The Supreme Court's decision disagrees with the Indian Removal Act because the Court states that the Cherokee Nation is... This means that the laws of Georgia are "void" and...

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3. According to Evan Jones (Source 3), what was the human impact of the removal? (List at least two specific examples from the text).

Sentence Starter: The human impact was... For example, Evan Jones describes how people were... He also states that the camps were...

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4. (Work with your partner) Contrast the way President Jackson (Source 1) described removal with the reality of removal described by Evan Jones (Source 3). Why do you think their accounts are so different?

Sentence Starter: President Jackson describes the removal as... and..., while Evan Jones describes it as... and... Their accounts are so different because Jackson wanted to... while Jones was...

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Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Directions: Answer the following prompt in a complete paragraph (5-8 sentences).

Prompt: Using evidence from at least TWO of today's documents, answer the Essential Question: How did the U.S. government's actions lead to the forced removal of the Cherokee, and what were the human consequences of this policy?

Sentence Starter: The U.S. government's actions, like the Indian Removal Act described by President Jackson in Source 1, led to the forced removal by... Although the Supreme Court (Source 2) ruled..., Jackson... The human consequences of this policy were described in Source 3 as... For example, Evan Jones stated that...

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