The Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears happened in the 1830s in the United States. The U.S. government made thousands of Native Americans leave their homes. They had to walk west to new lands far away. The trip was long, cold, and very hard. Many people got sick and died along the way.

Forced to Move

Tribes like the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole lived in the southern states. The government passed a law called the Indian Removal Act. Soldiers forced the people out of their towns and farms. They had to leave most of their things behind. They walked hundreds of miles to a place called Indian Territory.

A Sad Journey

The trip took months through snow, rain, and heat. People did not have enough food or warm clothes. Thousands of Cherokee people died on the way. This is why it is called the Trail of Tears. Today, we remember them and learn from this sad story.

Important Facts

• The Cherokee name for this walk means 'the trail where they cried.'
• The Trail of Tears covered over 1,000 miles.
• There is now a National Historic Trail that follows the path.

Did You Know?

A Cherokee leader named John Ross fought hard in court to stop the removal, but the government did it anyway.