The Trail Of Tears Analysis

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The Trail of Tears is a story based on the mass forced exodus of the Cherokee nation from the Eastern United States. The Documentary and the Text book discuss the reason behind the decision to remove the Cherokee from their lands. It also discusses those involved and the decision, along with the outcome of some. The Cherokee nation was a collaboration of five individual tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaws, Creeks, and Seminoles. During the Revolutionary war the Cherokee had chosen sides with the British, and now found themselves against odds with the U.S. government. Contemplating with their future they started to focus on the leadership of others in the tribe. After the American Revolution, the U.S. Government developed
With the help of former Attorney General William Hurt, more than a dozen cases where produced to counteract with two making it to the Supreme Court. One Supreme court ruled that the Cherokee were their own nation and could not be removed, which Andrew Jackson ignored.
Standing strong, Ross pushes the Cherokee’s to stand strong and fight for their rights. Behind Ross’s back and in secret a group of prominent Cherokee men including the Ridges signed the treaty for the Removal Act, claiming their land to the West. Only 2,000 of the 18,000 Cherokee agree and move to the West. A petition is signed by 15,665 remaining Indians and is sent to the U.S. Government. The petition is pushed aside and Federal troops along with Militia are sent in to gather up the Indians.
The Indians once gathered up are put into stockade’s, with no formal shelters the Indians live filth. Ross goes and negotiates and agrees to leave for the West. They leave in early December and have a line that crosses from Illinois to Kentucky. Over this trek, some are separated by rivers, going a month or longer with no food or shelter. Over 4,000 Indians die during what is now called the Trail of

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