A Brief History Of The Trail of Tears
Summary
TLDRThe 'Trail of Tears' recounts the forced relocation of the 'Five Civilized Tribes' in the 19th century, leading to the deaths of thousands. This dark chapter in American history saw tribes like the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole endure the loss of their lands and forced assimilation. The Indian Removal Act of 1830, under President Andrew Jackson, initiated their westward expulsion, resulting in a devastating trail of suffering and death, now remembered as a near-genocidal event.
Takeaways
- 😢 The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation of Native Americans, including the Five Civilized Tribes, from their ancestral lands to designated 'Indian Territory' between 1830 and 1850.
- 🏡 The Five Civilized Tribes, comprising the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole, were forcibly displaced, leading to the deaths of thousands from exposure, disease, and starvation.
- 🏞️ The U.S. government's policy of 'civilization' and 'assimilation' pressured these tribes to adopt European-American customs, including Christianity and centralized governance, to avoid further conflict.
- 🤝 Some tribes, in an effort to maintain peace, even owned African-American slaves and adopted European practices, but this did not prevent their eventual displacement.
- 🗣️ President Andrew Jackson was a key figure in the implementation of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which facilitated the forced relocation and is seen as a dark chapter in U.S. history.
- 📜 The Choctaw tribe was the first to be removed, enduring harsh conditions and significant loss of life, with an estimated 2,500 to 6,000 deaths during their removal.
- 🛡️ The Seminole tribe resisted relocation the longest, engaging in conflict with the U.S. government from 1835 to 1842, and are the only federally recognized tribe that never signed a peace treaty with the U.S.
- 🏘️ The Muscogee Creek tribe faced land fraud and were forcibly relocated, with over 3,500 deaths during their journey, known as the Creek Trail of Tears.
- 💸 The Chickasaw tribe negotiated financial compensation for their removal, but received the agreed-upon funds long after their relocation, with over 3,500 deaths during their journey.
- 🏔️ The Cherokee tribe, despite some voluntary relocation, faced forced removal in a harsh winter, resulting in approximately 4,000 deaths, nearly a third of their population.
Q & A
What is the 'Trail of Tears'?
-The 'Trail of Tears' refers to the forced displacement of Native Americans, specifically the Five Civilized Tribes, from their homes to land designated as 'Indian Territory' by the U.S. government between 1830 and 1850. This resulted in the death of countless Native Americans from exposure, disease, and starvation.
Which tribes are referred to as the 'Five Civilized Tribes'?
-The 'Five Civilized Tribes' refers to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole tribes, who were major Native American nations that originally lived in America's deep south.
What was the role of President George Washington in the treatment of Native Americans?
-President George Washington deemed American natives as biologically equal but with an inferior society. He encouraged the process of civilization, which was continued by Thomas Jefferson, leading to some tribes assimilating into European culture.
What was the Indian Removal Act, and what did it allow?
-The Indian Removal Act, signed by President Andrew Jackson in 1830, allowed the negotiation with tribes for their removal to land west of the Mississippi River. It removed any claim Native Americans had to their own land and supported relocation funded by the U.S. government.
Which tribe was the first to experience the Trail of Tears, and what were the conditions they faced?
-The Choctaw tribe was the first to experience the Trail of Tears. They faced freezing temperatures, flooded rivers, and extreme food shortages, with an estimated 2,500 to 6,000 tribe members dying from disease and mishaps along the way.
What was the stance of the Seminole tribe regarding relocation, and what was the outcome?
-The Seminole tribe resisted relocation, leading to nearly seven years of fighting. Despite the U.S. government's efforts, around 500 Seminoles escaped to the Everglades and were left in peace, making them the only federally recognized tribe that never signed a peace treaty with the U.S.
What was the outcome of the Muscogee Creek tribe's resistance to the forced relocation?
-The Muscogee Creek tribe faced an uprising and were forcibly relocated by soldiers, with over 3,500 men, women, and children dying on the journey known as the Creek Trail of Tears. It's estimated that the death toll could go up as high as 8,000.
How did the Chickasaw tribe negotiate their removal, and what was the outcome?
-The Chickasaw tribe held out for financial compensation from the U.S. government, signing a treaty and eventually paying the Choctaw tribe for access to parts of their territory. Over 3,500 died during their removal along the Trail of Tears.
What happened to the Cherokee tribe during their forced removal, and what was the impact?
-Approximately 4,000 Cherokee died during their forced removal, which was a one thousand-mile walk during an extremely harsh winter. Many died of disease, malnutrition, and exposure, with the event being described as one of the cruelest acts in American history.
How is the Trail of Tears viewed today, and what is its significance?
-The Trail of Tears is viewed today as a near-genocidal event and a dark chapter in American history. It highlights the injustices and atrocities faced by Native American tribes during the period of European American expansion.
Outlines
😢 The Trail of Tears: Forced Relocation and Suffering of Native Americans
The Trail of Tears was a catastrophic event between 1830 and 1850, where approximately 60,000 to 100,000 Native Americans from the Five Civilized Tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands by the U.S. government. This displacement led to the death of countless individuals due to exposure, disease, and starvation. The Five Civilized Tribes, comprising the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole, initially resisted European colonization but later attempted assimilation to avoid further conflict. Despite their efforts, they became victims of the settlers' land greed, culminating in the Indian Removal Act of 1830 under President Andrew Jackson. This act initiated the forced relocation west of the Mississippi River, leading to immense suffering and loss of life. The Choctaw tribe was the first to endure this tragic journey, with an estimated 2,500 to 6,000 deaths during their removal.
🔥 Resistance and Aftermath of the Trail of Tears
The Seminole tribe resisted relocation, leading to a prolonged conflict from 1835 to 1842. Despite their resistance, they were forcibly relocated, resulting in an estimated 700 to 1,000 deaths. The Muscogee Creek tribe, despite an early treaty, faced fraud and land theft, leading to an uprising and subsequent forced relocation with over 3,500 deaths. The Chickasaw tribe negotiated financial compensation, but their removal still resulted in over 3,500 deaths. The Cherokee tribe, despite some voluntary relocation, faced forced removal in a harsh winter, with approximately 4,000 deaths. The Trail of Tears is a dark chapter in American history, reflecting the near-genocidal treatment of Native Americans and the relentless pursuit of land by European Americans, leaving a lasting impact on the affected tribes and the nation's conscience.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Trail of Tears
💡Five Civilized Tribes
💡Assimilation
💡Indian Removal Act
💡Andrew Jackson
💡Land Speculators
💡Concentration Camps
💡Chickasaw Tribe
💡Seminole Tribe
💡Muskego Creek Tribe
💡Cherokee Tribe
Highlights
The Trail of Tears was a forced displacement of Native Americans, including the Five Civilized Tribes, from 1830 to 1850.
Around 60,000 to 100,000 Native Americans were displaced, resulting in countless deaths from exposure, disease, and starvation.
The Five Civilized Tribes were the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee Creek, and Seminole tribes, originally from the deep South.
Early European colonization led to high tensions and conflicts with the Native Americans over land rights.
President George Washington encouraged the 'civilization' process for Native Americans, which Thomas Jefferson continued.
Some tribes assimilated into European culture, adopting Christianity, centralized governments, and owning African-American slaves.
The Five Civilized Tribes were targeted for removal despite their efforts to integrate with European Americans.
Andrew Jackson, a proponent of Native American removal, signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, enabling forced relocation.
The Choctaw tribe was the first to be removed, enduring harsh conditions and significant loss of life during their removal.
The Seminole tribe resisted relocation, leading to a long and costly conflict with the U.S. government.
The Muscogee Creek tribe faced land fraud and were forcibly removed, with over 3,500 dying during their journey.
The Chickasaw tribe negotiated financial compensation before their removal, which resulted in a high death toll.
The Cherokee tribe was forcibly removed during a harsh winter, with approximately 4,000 dying on the Trail of Tears.
The Trail of Tears is viewed as a near-genocidal event in American history, with long-lasting impacts on Native American tribes.
The Seminole tribe remains the only federally recognized tribe that never signed a peace treaty with the U.S.
The Trail of Tears highlights the brutal treatment of Native Americans during the expansion of European Americans.
Transcripts
the trail of tears refers to the forced
displacement of what white american
colonizers called the five civilized
tribes
over 20 years between 1830 and 1850
somewhere around 60 000 to 100 000
native americans were forced from their
homes into land the new government had
decided would be indian territory during
their removal countless died from
exposure disease and starvation
their unnecessary deaths are now seen as
a near genocidal event and the route
they walked and died upon is forever
more known as the trail of tears
the five civilized tribes refers to the
major native american nations that
originally lived in america's deep south
these were the cherokee chickasaw
choctaw muskegee creek and seminole
tribes
in the early days of european
colonization tensions between the
europeans and the merciless indians as
they were called were high the native
americans understandably fought hard to
keep their land
which the invaders didn't particularly
like as they felt they were entitled to
it
later president george washington deemed
american natives as biologically equal
but with an inferior society he
encouraged the process of civilization
that thomas jefferson continued in his
tenure
what followed was some tribes
assimilating somewhat into european
culture with cross-cultural marriages
even taking place in some instances
although more often than not this was
forced assimilation and erasure of their
natural culture in order to avoid more
deaths at the hands of european
americans
the five tribes we've already mentioned
were the ones to do this
converting to christianity and
developing centralized governments
english literacy written constitutions
and even owned their own
african-american slaves like the white
colonizers
this uneasy peace was maintained until
the white americans kicked things up a
notch
it wasn't sufficient that they had
invaded another culture's territory and
brought diseases that ran rampant
they now decided they deserved all the
land for themselves as their settlements
grew and people became
greedier even the five tribes who had
shown a willingness to integrate with
the european americans became victims of
their desire to own everything
in 1829 andrew jackson became president
he had been a strong proponent for
removal of native americans for at least
a decade already and now that he was in
power he was determined to accomplish
this goal
and he didn't waste any time on may 28
1830 less than a year into his
presidency jackson signed what was
called the indian removal act
the act allowed jackson to negotiate
with the tribes for their removal to
land the european americans had decided
was more appropriate for them west of
the mississippi river in other words the
settlers wanted to expand and weren't
going to let the native citizens of
america get in their way
the act removed any claim the native
americans had to their own land and
supported relocation funded by the us
government and although the law stated
that president couldn't move the tribes
without a mutually agreed treaty jackson
was not about to let that stand in his
way should negotiations fail
jackson continued to somewhat work with
tribal leaders to negotiate their
removal west but history does not look
favorably upon his treatment of native
american tribes and his aggressive
pursuit of their removal
the first treaty was signed that first
year with the choctaw tribe after years
of land loss and hardships for them
their feelings can be summed up by their
leader george w hawkins who wrote we as
choctaws rather chose to suffer and be
free than live under the degrading
influence of laws which our voice could
not be heard in their formation
the choctaw tribe were the first victims
of the trail of tears
between 1821 and 1833 all but
approximately five to six thousand
choctaw had been moved to the west
during their removal they endured
freezing temperatures flooded rivers and
extreme food shortages one group was
completely lost in the lake providence
swamps while those who completed the
journey experienced heavy losses of
their family and friends along the way
all in all it's predicted anywhere
between 2 500 and 6 000 choctaw tribe
members died on the trail of tears from
disease and mishaps along the way
prompting one chief to refer to the
experience as a trail of tears and death
those who remained endured no better
victim to frequent harassment
intimidation destruction of their
properties and in some cases murdered by
the european americans who resented
their presence
although the seven chiefs of the seminal
tribe had signed a treaty agreeing to
move west upon returning home from
scouting the land most immediately
renounced the statement claiming they
had been forced into signing given the
general attitude of jackson and his
government this is most likely true
what followed was nearly seven years of
fighting starting in 1835 and ending in
1842 it was the longest and most costly
of all the indian conflicts can't say we
feel too sorry for the us government
there as the seminal resisted relocation
florida and the u.s government sent
troops and equipment to help the army
force the tribe over the river they were
successful and it's predicted they
forcibly relocated somewhere between
three to four thousand seminole tribes
people the number of seminal who died in
the war is uncertain but it's likely
between 700 to 1 000 members of the
tribe
around 500 seminoles did escape to the
everglades whom the government after
much fighting left in peace realizing
they would not be able to subjugate them
easily because of the terrain and
climate of the region they remain the
only federally recognized tribe which
never signed a peace treaty with the u.s
the muskego creek tribe had been working
with the u.s government and andrew
jackson before his inauguration as
president although the muskegee signed a
treaty with the u.s government the
treaty of cassette in 1832 whites moved
into their territory before everything
was settled and land speculators
deliberately defrauded and stole from
the lands of the muskego creeks
by 1836 there was an uprising from the
tribe's people protecting their land
from the fraudulent and invasive
practices of the whites the uprising
ended abruptly when soldiers began
rounding up creek people and forcibly
extracting them to the indian territory
of fort gibson over the next year more
than fifteen thousand muskegee creeks
were forced from their homes with
nothing more than the clothes they were
wearing with the army in tow they made
their way along the 750 mile route now
known as the creek trail of tears it's
estimated over 3500
men women and children died on the
journey
and that's not to mention those that
were forced into concentration camps for
their safety but who actually found
themselves raped enslaved and murdered
overall some numbers estimating the
total creek trail of tears death toll go
up as high as 8 000 more than half of
the tribe's entire number the chickasaw
tribe was the only one to hold out for
financial compensation from the u.s
government they signed the treaty of
pontotoc creek in 1832 but held out
until 1837 for their agreed upon 3
million
unsurprisingly they didn't receive this
money until nearly 30 years later
despite their removal beginning in 1837.
in the meantime they negotiated with the
choctaw tribe eventually paying them 530
000 for access to parts of their indian
territory
once they agreed the chickasaw gathered
at tennessee with their belongings and
african-american slaves to cross the
mississippi river to their new homes
along the trail of tears of the 3100 who
took part in the first movement 500 died
from dysentery and smallpox by the end
of their removals over 3500 had died
it wasn't until the 20th century that
they were once again federally
recognized as an independent government
although approximately 2 000 cherokee
had relocated voluntarily to indian
territory this wasn't sufficient or fast
enough for the us government and by 1838
they stepped in to forcibly remove other
members of the tribe
it was a one thousand mile walk from the
homes of the approximately thirteen
thousand cherokee tribes people to their
newly provided indian territory during
an extremely harsh winter on the way
their numbers quickly began to fall as
many died of disease malnutrition and
exposure
one of the most tragic moments for the
tribe came when they reached berry's
ferry a ferry they needed to cross the
ohio river the journey usually cost
around 12 cents the cherokee tribe
members were charged one dollar each
many died huddled under the mantle rock
waiting for the ferry to allow them to
cross
a volunteer soldier even wrote of their
removal i fought through the american
civil war and have seen men shot to
pieces and slaughtered by thousands but
the cherokee removal was the cruelest
work i ever knew
approximately 4 000 cherokee died on the
trail of tears almost a third of their
total number
how european americans treated native
americans during their years of
expansion and since has long been looked
upon with disapproval and disgust but
few outside know the true horrors of the
trail of tears and the unfathomable
circumstances of the tribe's route to
their new homes that resulted in a near
genocide of the native american people
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