Trail of Tears 1838

The Cherokee culture had been around for almost 1,000 years before contact with European explorers. When Cherokee people met the Europeans they traded land for food and other goods. Soon the Cherokees became more and more like the white people.

Soon the European people had started moving into the Cherokees land. The Cherokees got annoyed and some moved West and settled in other areas. European people were glad that some moved away, however their resentment of the Cherokees that had stayed got bigger as needs for the Cherokee land was found. They found gold and other valuble things. They made the Cherokees leave. Later President Jackson made up the the Indian Removal Act. They made a Treaty to justify it. It was signed by about one hundred Cherokees. They gave up all lands East of the Mississippi River in exchange for different land, money, livestock, tools, and goods.

Under the orders of President Jackson the U.S Army began the Removal Act.

3,000 Cherokees were loaded in to boats and taken down the Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi, and Arkansas Rivers. Many Indians went to prison camps awaiting their fate.

In the winters of 1838-39 the Cherokees walked 1,200 miles through Tennesse, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and into their new territory. An estimated 4,000 Indians died from hunger and dieseases. The trail they walked became known as "The Trail Where They Cried" to the Indians but is now known as "The Trail of Tears".

By Rosie

Sources

Encarta Encyclopedia AskJeeves.com