Trail of tears begins
1831 · 19th Century
The Trail of Tears was a series of forced relocations of approximately 60,000 Native Americans in the United States from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States, to areas to the west of the Mississippi River that had been designated as Indian Territory. In 1831, the Choctaw became the first Nation to be removed, and their removal served as the model for all future relocations. After two wars, many Seminoles were removed in 1832. The Creek removal followed in 1834, the Chickasaw in 1837, and lastly the Cherokee in 1838.
Key Figures
Andrew JacksonMartin Van BurenJohn RossWinfield ScottGeorge W. Harkins
Locations
Washington, D.C.Indian TerritoryGeorgiaMississippi River
Topics
native americanlawnorth americacivilizationindigineous
Connected Events — 3 Connections
Provided the legal framework and presidential authorization that directly enabled Jackson to negotiate removal treaties, making the Trail of Tears forced relocations legally permissible under federal law Indian Removal Act
Elevated Andrew Jackson to national hero status through his victory at New Orleans, providing him the political capital and military reputation that enabled his presidential election and subsequent Indian removal policies War of 1812 Begins
Cherokee literacy enabled through the syllabary documented the forced relocation Sequoyah Completes the Cherokee Syllabary
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