1. Trail of Tears
By Henry Wehner
President Andrew Jackson’s removal policy was based on the Indian
Removal Act of 1830. This Act which exchanged Native American lands
east of the Mississippi River for relocation to the Indian territories, present-
day Oklahoma. This policy was started to ensure lands for growing
population of non-native Americans. The Trail of Tears refers to the forced
emigration of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes to the Indian
territories. The Cherokee people suffered badly over 4,000 out of 15,000 of
them died. Many tribes and families were permanently split up. The Trail of
Tears was named after the translation from Cherokee from the “Trail where
they cried”. The Trail of Tears is often cited as an example of the inhumane
treatment of the Native Americans and the willingness of the U.S.
government to break valid treaties and create unauthorized treaties in their
place.