The Trail of Tears  &

The Indian Removal Act 

 

The Indian Removal Act, which was authorized by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, called for the forced migration of all Native Americans to what was known as Indian Territory, an undefined area of land west of the Mississippi.  During the summer of 1838, thousands of Cherokees, as well as members of other nations, were driven west by  U.S. troops and forced to travel what has become know as the "Trail of Tears."  On the journey from South Carolina and Georgia to Oklahoma, over 4,000 Cherokees died of starvation, thirst, and disease.

Native American History Resources

 

A Brief History of the Trail of Tears

The Cherokee Heritage Center

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)

 

Click to see a detail

Additional Links:

 

Toto Dance at Bloomer Hill 1973 Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in.  - Frank Day