What happened to the Cherokee during the Trail of Tears is a tragic chapter in American history. The Trail of Tears, which took place between 1838 and 1839, was a forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated territory west of the Mississippi River. This devastating event resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokee people, including many who succumbed to disease, starvation, and exhaustion during the arduous journey.
The Cherokee were a Native American tribe that had lived in the southeastern United States for centuries, primarily in what is now Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. They had developed a unique culture, language, and government system that had thrived for generations. However, as European settlers moved westward, they encroached on Cherokee lands, leading to conflicts and tensions between the two groups.
In the early 19th century, the United States government, under the presidency of Andrew Jackson, sought to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to make way for white settlers. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed, authorizing the government to negotiate with tribes for their land and to relocate them to designated territories in the West. The Cherokee, however, were among the tribes that resisted this forced removal.
The Cherokee Nation, led by Chief John Ross, fought tirelessly to protect their rights and keep their land. They even took their case to the Supreme Court in the landmark case Worcester v. Georgia (1832), which ruled that the Cherokee were a sovereign nation and that Georgia had no authority to enforce its laws on them. Despite this ruling, the federal government ignored the court’s decision and continued to pressure the Cherokee to leave their homeland.
The Trail of Tears began in 1838 when federal troops were sent to remove the Cherokee from their lands. Many Cherokee, including Chief Ross, refused to go and remained in their homes, leading to brutal attacks and the deaths of many. Those who did surrender were forced to march westward, often in harsh conditions and without adequate supplies. The journey was marked by overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, as well as a lack of food and water.
According to estimates, between 4,000 and 8,000 Cherokee died during the Trail of Tears, with many more suffering from the harsh conditions and the trauma of being uprooted from their homes. The survivors were forced to settle in Oklahoma, where they were confined to designated reservations. The Trail of Tears remains a somber reminder of the tragic consequences of American expansionism and the mistreatment of Native American tribes.
Today, the Cherokee Nation continues to honor the memory of those who suffered and died during the Trail of Tears. The nation has made significant strides in preserving its culture, language, and history, and has become one of the largest and most influential Native American tribes in the United States. While the Trail of Tears remains a painful reminder of the past, the Cherokee Nation continues to celebrate its resilience and the strength of its people.
