USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Between the 1830 Indian Removal Act and 1850, the U.S. government used forced treaties and/or U.S. Army action to move about 100, 000 American Indians living east of the Mississippi River, westward to Indian Territory in what is now Oklahoma.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail traces their route to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the current capital of the Cherokee Nation. An exhibit at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah features 16, 000 hand-crafted beads representing the people who made that awful journey.

Detailed explanation-3: -On March 28, 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, beginning the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans in what became known as the Trail of Tears. Not all members of Congress supported the Indian Removal Act.

Detailed explanation-4: -As many as 4, 000 died of disease, starvation and exposure during their detention and forced migration through nine states that became known as the “Trail of Tears.”

Detailed explanation-5: -By 1838, only about 2, 000 Cherokees had left their Georgia homeland for Indian Territory. President Martin Van Buren sent General Winfield Scott and 7, 000 soldiers to expedite the removal process. Scott and his troops forced the Cherokee into stockades at bayonet point while his men looted their homes and belongings.