APUSH: Period 4, 1800-1848 - Forced Removal of Native Americans, Trail of Tears

Why This Matters

The forced removal of Native Americans, exemplified by the Trail of Tears, is a pivotal event in American history that highlights the devastating consequences of westward expansion and the clash between Native American sovereignty and U.S. expansionism. This event is significant for understanding the larger period of American expansionism and the ongoing struggle for Native American rights, connecting to the AP theme of American Identity and the impact of government policies on marginalized groups.

Key Events & People

• Indian Removal Act (1830): Signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, this act authorized the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).
• Andrew Jackson (1767-1845): Seventh U.S. President, who championed the Indian Removal Act and oversaw the Trail of Tears, demonstrating his commitment to Manifest Destiny and the expansion of U.S. territory.
• Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831): A landmark Supreme Court case in which the Cherokee Nation argued that they were a sovereign nation and not subject to state laws, but the court ultimately ruled against them, paving the way for the Indian Removal Act.
• John Ross (1790-1866): Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who resisted the Indian Removal Act and led the Cherokee in a series of lawsuits and diplomatic efforts to avoid relocation.
• Trail of Tears (1838-1839): A brutal forced relocation of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans.
• William Penn (1644-1718): A Quaker leader who advocated for peaceful coexistence with Native Americans and established the colony of Pennsylvania as a haven for Native American tribes.
• Treaty of New Echota (1835): A treaty signed by a faction of the Cherokee Nation, which ceded their lands to the U.S. government in exchange for land in Indian Territory, leading to the Trail of Tears.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Indian Removal Act (1830) was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson.
• Effect: The Trail of Tears (1838-1839) resulted in the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans.
• Long-term consequence: The Trail of Tears contributed to the decline of Native American populations and the erosion of their sovereignty, leading to ongoing struggles for Native American rights.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Manifest Destiny*: The 19th-century idea that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America.
• *Sovereignty*: The right of a nation or people to govern themselves and make their own decisions.
• *Westward expansion*: The movement of American settlers and the U.S. government into the western territories of North America.
• *Indian Territory*: A region in present-day Oklahoma that was designated as a homeland for Native American tribes forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands.
• *Trail of Tears*: A brutal forced relocation of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory.
• *Indian Removal Act*: A law signed into effect by President Andrew Jackson in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans.
• *Cherokee Nation v. Georgia*: A landmark Supreme Court case in which the Cherokee Nation argued that they were a sovereign nation and not subject to state laws.
• *Treaty of New Echota*: A treaty signed by a faction of the Cherokee Nation that ceded their lands to the U.S. government in exchange for land in Indian Territory.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Trail of Tears was a voluntary relocation of Native Americans.
• Correction: The Trail of Tears was a brutal forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans, resulting in the deaths of thousands.
• What students often get wrong: The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Thomas Jefferson.
• Correction: The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830.
• What students often get wrong: The Cherokee Nation was not a sovereign nation.
• Correction: The Cherokee Nation was a sovereign nation that was recognized by the U.S. government, but ultimately lost their sovereignty through the Indian Removal Act.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Document-based question: Analyze the impact of the Indian Removal Act on Native American populations and the U.S. government's policies towards Native Americans. Use evidence from the following documents:
  • The Indian Removal Act (1830)
  • The Trail of Tears (1838-1839)
  • Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)
• Long essay question: Discuss the role of Andrew Jackson in the forced relocation of Native Americans. Use evidence from the following sources:
  • Andrew Jackson's speeches and writings
  • The Indian Removal Act (1830)
  • The Trail of Tears (1838-1839)

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary purpose of the Indian Removal Act? Answer: The primary purpose of the Indian Removal Act was to forcibly relocate tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory.
2. Who was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears? Answer: John Ross was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation during the Trail of Tears.
3. What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia? Answer: The Supreme Court ultimately ruled against the Cherokee Nation, paving the way for the Indian Removal Act.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Trail of Tears was not a single event, but a series of forced relocations.
• The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830.
• The Trail of Tears resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans.
• The Indian Removal Act was a key factor in the decline of Native American populations.
• The Cherokee Nation was a sovereign nation that was recognized by the U.S. government.
• The Treaty of New Echota was signed by a faction of the Cherokee Nation that ceded their lands to the U.S. government.
• The Indian Removal Act was a key example of the U.S. government's westward expansion policies.
• The Trail of Tears was a brutal forced relocation of the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations.
• The Indian Removal Act was a key factor in the erosion of Native American sovereignty.