trail of tears student essay

MA in American History : Apply now and enroll in graduate courses with top historians this summer!

• AP US History Study Guide
• History U: Courses for High School Students
• History School: Summer Enrichment
• Lesson Plans
• Classroom Resources
• Spotlights on Primary Sources
• Professional Development (Academic Year)
• Professional Development (Summer)
• Book Breaks
• Inside the Vault
• Self-Paced Courses
• Browse All Resources
• Search by Issue
• Search by Essay
• Become a Member (Free)
• Monthly Offer (Free for Members)
• Program Information
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Applying and Enrolling
• Eligibility (In-Person)
• EduHam Online
• Hamilton Cast Read Alongs
• Official Website
• Press Coverage
• Veterans Legacy Program
• The Declaration at 250
• Black Lives in the Founding Era
• Celebrating American Historical Holidays
• Browse All Programs
• Donate Items to the Collection
• Search Our Catalog
• Research Guides
• Rights and Reproductions
• See Our Documents on Display
• Bring an Exhibition to Your Organization
• Interactive Exhibitions Online
• About the Transcription Program
• Civil War Letters
• Founding Era Newspapers
• College Fellowships in American History
• Scholarly Fellowship Program
• Richard Gilder History Prize
• David McCullough Essay Prize
• Affiliate School Scholarships
• Nominate a Teacher
• Eligibility
• State Winners
• National Winners
• Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize
• Gilder Lehrman Military History Prize
• George Washington Prize
• Frederick Douglass Book Prize
• Our Mission and History
• Annual Report
• Contact Information
• Student Advisory Council
• Teacher Advisory Council
• Board of Trustees
• Remembering Richard Gilder
• President's Council
• Scholarly Advisory Board
• Internships
• Our Partners
• Press Releases

History Resources

Perspectives on the Trail of Tears

By elizabeth berlin taylor, introduction.

In this lesson, student groups will design and create a poster containing facts about the Trail of Tears as well as a collage and concluding statement expressing the group’s feelings about the event.  

The Trail of Tears was the result of Andrew Jackson’s policy of Indian Removal in the Southeastern United States. While Jackson’s designs on Indian territory east of the Mississippi River involved Indian nations such as the Cherokees, Seminoles, Chickasaws, Choctaws, and Creeks, as well as others from approximately 1814 until 1840, "the Trail of Tears" refers to the forced march of Cherokees from Georgia to Oklahoma from 1838 to 1839. This episode, legitimized by the disputed Treaty of New Echota, resulted in thousands of deaths and the removal of the Cherokee Nation from its ancestral homelands.  

• Map of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia, 1827 , David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
• Map of Cherokee Removal Routes , Smithsonian Institution
• Interactive map of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (Scroll down and click on "The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail")
• The Trail of Tears by Robert Lindneux, 1942

Secondary Sources

• Cherokee Nation Timeline
• "What happened on the Trail of Tears?"

Primary Sources

• "General Winfield Scott’s Address to the Cherokee Nation," May 10, 1838
• Letter from Chief John Ross protesting the Treaty of New Echota
• Transcript of President Andrew Jackson’s message to Congress "On Indian Removal" (1830)
• Treaty of New Echota , final paragraph of Article 1

Essential Question

What incidents led to the Trail of Tears and what is your perspective of this event?

• Students will be able to read and understand primary and secondary documents that are germane to the events and points of view of the Trail of Tears.
• Students will be able to communicate data about the Trail of Tears on a poster.
• Students will be able to create a collage and a statement that captures the group’s feelings about the Trail of Tears.

Ask students the question: "Does the United States government have the right to make you move out of your house? Why or why not?" After students spend about two minutes writing responses to these questions, ask them to share their answers and respond to each other. As a follow-up question, ask students what they would do if they were required to move by their government.

• Introduce background information on the Trail of Tears via a very brief lecture or discussion.
• Project the maps of the Cherokee Nation in Georgia, 1830, and the Cherokee Removal Routes. Discuss the distance that the Cherokees walked and conditions they endured. If you have access to computer technology, have students investigate the interactive map of the Trail of Tears to understand how long the march was and would be today.
• Project The Trail of Tears by Robert Lindneux. Have students discuss what is happening in the painting and how its subjects are depicted.
• Divide the class into groups of four and distribute an information packet to each group. The packet should contain four copies of the two secondary sources and one copy of each primary source. It would be most effective to keep the materials in a folder.
• Ask students to read the secondary sources individually. Then as a group, have students write one paragraph that responds to the question, "What was the Trail of Tears?"
• Next, ask each student in the group to read one of the primary sources and complete the " Who, What, Where, and When " worksheet. Group members should then share information from their documents with the group.
• Conclude this day’s class by asking for volunteers to explain the events and share their perceptions of the Trail of Tears.

Ask students to return to their groups and review the information they discovered in the previous class period. Hand out the  Perspectives on the Trail of Tears poster template to each group. Ask students to answer the following questions in the corners of the poster:

• What was the Trail of Tears? 
• Who was removed (and from where were they removed)? Where did they resettle? 
• What was John Ross’s opinion of Indian Removal? 
• What was Andrew Jackson’s opinion of Indian Removal? 

In the center of the poster, have students create a collage showing how the group feels about the Trail of Tears. Underneath the collage, the group should write a one-sentence statement explaining their feelings about the Trail of Tears.

After they complete their work, debrief students on the material they have learned. Pose the concluding question: "Could another removal of an ethnic group happen in the present-day United States?"

Students may research the experiences of other Indian nations subjected to removal as a result of Andrew Jackson’s policies and write a short essay explaining their research.

Stay up to date, and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.

Learn how the Institute impacts history education through our work guiding teachers, energizing students, and supporting research.

Trail of Tears: Narrative Essay

• Webquest links
• Narrative Essay

Trail of Tears Narrative

Survivor Account- Samuel Cloud –Read the following account:

History of the Cherokee -- Samuel's Memory

     Samuel Cloud turned 9 years old on the Trail of Tears. Samuel's Memory is told by his great-great grandson, Michael Rutledge, in his paper Forgiveness in the Age of Forgetfulness. Michael, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is a law student at Arizona State University. It is Spring. The leaves are on the trees. I am playing with my friends when white men in uniforms ride up to our home. My mother calls me. I can tell by her voice that something is wrong. Some of the men ride off. My mother tells me to gather my things, but the men don't allow us time to get anything. They enter our home and begin knocking over pottery and looking into everything. My mother and I are taken by several men to where their horses are and are held there at gun point. The men who rode off return with my father, Elijah. They have taken his rifle and he is walking toward us.

     I can feel his anger and frustration. There is nothing he can do. From my mother I feel fear. I am filled with fear, too. What is going on? I was just playing, but now my family and my friends' families are gathered together and told to walk at the point of a bayonet. We walk a long ways. My mother does not let me get far from her. My father is walking by the other men, talking in low, angry tones. The soldiers look weary, as though they'd rather be anywhere else but here.

     They lead us to a stockade. They herd us into this pen like we are cattle. No one was given time to gather any possessions. The nights are still cold in the mountains and we do not have enough blankets to go around. My mother holds me at night to keep me warm. That is the only time I feel safe. I feel her pull me to her tightly. I feel her warm breath in my hair. I feel her softness as I fall asleep at night. As the days pass, more and more of our people are herded into the stockade. I see other members of my clan. We children try to play, but the elders around us are anxious and we do not know what to think. I often sit and watch the others around me. I observe the guards. I try not to think about my hunger. I am cold.

     Several months have passed and still we are in the stockades. My father looks tired. He talks with the other men, but no one seems to know what to do or what is going to happen. We hear that white men have moved into our homes and are farming our fields. What will happen to us? We are to march west to join the Western Cherokees. I don't want to leave these mountains. My mother, my aunts and uncles take me aside one day. "Your father died last night," they tell me. My mother and my father's clan members are crying, but I do not understand what this means. I saw him yesterday. He was sick, but still alive. It doesn't seem real. Nothing seems real. I don't know what any of this means. It seems like yesterday, I was playing with my friends.

     It is now Fall. It seems like forever since I was clean. The stockade is nothing but mud. In the morning it is stiff with frost. By mid-afternoon, it is soft and we are all covered in it. The soldiers suddenly tell us we are to follow them. We are led out of the stockade. The guards all have guns and are watching us closely. We walk. My mother keeps me close to her. I am allowed to walk with my uncle or an aunt, occasionally. We walk across the frozen earth. Nothing seems right anymore. The cold seeps through my clothes. I wish I had my blanket. I remember last winter I had a blanket, when I was warm. I don't feel like I'll ever be warm again. I remember my father's smile. It seems like so long ago. We walked for many days. I don't know how long it has been since we left our home, but the mountains are behind us. Each day, we start walking a little later. They bury the dead in shallow graves, because the ground is frozen. As we walk past white towns, the whites come out to watch us pass. No words are spoken to them. No words are said to us. Still, I wish they would stop staring. I wish it were them walking in this misery and I were watching them. It is because of them that we are walking. I don't understand why, but I know that much. They made us leave our homes. They made us walk to this new place we are heading in the middle of winter. I do not like these people. Still, they stare at me as I walk past. We come to a big river, bigger than I have ever seen before. It is flowing with ice. The soldiers are not happy. We set up camp and wait. We are all cold and the snow and ice seem to hound us, claiming our people one by one. North is the color of blue, defeat and trouble. From there a chill wind blows for us as we wait by a frozen river. We wait to die.

     My mother is coughing now. She looks worn. Her hands and face are burning hot. My aunts and uncles try to take care of me, so she can get better. I don't want to leave her alone. I just want to sit with her. I want her to stroke my hair, like she used to do. My aunts try to get me to sleep by them, but at night, I creep to her side. She coughs and it wracks her whole body. When she feels me by her side, she opens her blanket and lets me in. I nestle against her feverish body. I can make it another day, I know, because she is here. When I went to sleep last night, my mother was hot and coughing worse than usual. When I woke up, she was cold. I tried to wake her up, but she lay there. The soft warmth she once was, she is no more. I kept touching her, as hot tears stream down my face. She couldn't leave me. She wouldn't leave me.

     I hear myself call her name, softly, then louder. She does not answer. My aunt and uncle come over to me to see what is wrong. My aunt looks at my mother. My uncle pulls me from her. My aunt begins to wail. I will never forget that wail. I did not understand when my father died. My mother's death I do not understand, but I suddenly know that I am alone. My clan will take care of me, but I will be forever denied her warmth, the soft fingers in my hair, her gentle breath as we slept. I am alone. I want to cry. I want to scream in rage. I can do nothing. We bury her in a shallow grave by the road. I will never forget that lonesome hill of stone that is her final bed, as it fades from my sight. I tread softly by my uncle, my hand in his. I walk with my head turned, watching that small hill as it fades from my sight. The soldiers make us continue walking. My uncle talks to me, trying to comfort me. I walk in loneliness.

     I know what it is to hate. I hate those white soldiers who took us from our home. I hate the soldiers who make us keep walking through the snow and ice toward this new home that none of us ever wanted. I hate the people who killed my father and mother.

     I hate the white people who lined the roads in their woolen clothes that kept them warm, watching us pass. None of those white people are here to say they are sorry that I am alone. None of them care about me or my people. All they ever saw was the color of our skin. All I see is the color of theirs and I hate them. ©1995 Michael J. Rutledge, All Rights Reserved.

• << Previous: Webquest links
• Last Updated: Feb 6, 2018 7:40 AM
• URL: https://bluevalleyk12.libguides.com/c.php?g=798922

Learning Resources

Teaching beyond the "trail of tears", read for understanding:.

This Learning Resource explores the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the southeast United States in the 1830's-1850's. It was developed as many schools were closed during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Suggested tips for teachers and students engaging in remote learning are included, and some learning strategies and directions have been modified to assist schools with both face to face and virtual instruction.

Key Vocabulary

Annex – forcibly adding new land to a state or nation

Assimilate – for a person or group of people to become similar to others in habits or culture

Atrocities – violent, cruel acts

Barbarity - cruelty, inhumane treatment

Blasphemous – being disrespectful to religion or God

Covenant – An agreement in a deed to real estate (land/property) that restricts future use of the property, often enforceable against future owners. Restrictive covenants based on race were declared unconstitutional in 1949

Inferior – a lower political or social status of a group of people

Missionary - someone who promotes his religion to others in an effort to recruit new followers

Plunder - to steal valuables from others

Reconciliation – restoring positive relations between groups or individuals

Sovereign – government authority over others

Vociferations - speaking out in protest

How did the Indian Removal Act impact Native Americans?

Between 1830 and 1850, over 60,000 Native Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands in the southeast region of the United States, under President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act of 1830. These included members of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee peoples, as well as other mixed-race people and enslaved Africans who previously lived among these nations.

Forced to march over a thousand miles, several thousand died and many were buried in unmarked graves along the route often referred to as “The Trail of Tears.” Those who survived were displaced and escorted by state or local militias into government-designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. 

Take a few minutes to study this painting, The Trail of Tears , by artist Robert Lindneux , depicting their Journey of Injustice.

Select one person from the painting to analyze by completing the following:

• List five details about this person.
• What is the mood of this painting?  What feeling does it give you?
• What do you think is happening?

To learn more about the Trail of Tears, read this excerpt on Bunk – “Work of Barbarity”: Eyewitness account excerpt Missionary journal, June 16, 1838.  

“Work of Barbarity”: An Eyewitness Account of the Trail of Tears

A missionary's account of the atrocities perpetrated against Cherokees shows that the Trail of Tears is no laughing matter.

www.bunkhistory.org

After reading the excerpt, turn and talk to a partner, or if working remotely, use the chat box or other collaboration strategy recommended by your teacher to Think - Pair - Share three examples of unfair treatment experienced by the Cherokees as explained by a missionary who witnessed Indian removal.  You may choose to continue reading the complete article by selecting the “View on...” button. 

Your teacher may ask you to record your answers on an exit ticket. 

Why were the Cherokee and other Native Americans removed from their lands in the 1830s?

Watch this brief video on the PBS LearningMedia site to learn more about President Andrew Jackson’s use of the Indian Removal Act.

Trail of Tears | PBS LearningMedia

In this video segment adapted from American Experience: "We Shall Remain," reenactments help tell the story of how the Cherokee people were forced from their lands in the southeast.

www.pbslearningmedia.org

While watching the video, complete the following S-I-T prompts:

• One Surprising fact or idea
• One Interesting fact or idea
• One Troubling fact or idea

Afterwards, turn and talk with your partner sharing some of your reflections.   If working remotely, your teacher may provide opportunities to collaborate with classmates using video conferencing, access to an online chat feature, or breakout rooms.

Next, examine the routes taken by different Native American tribes at part of the Indian Removal Act.

To recognize the events of this journey, the National Park Service has established a National Historic Trail along the routes of the Trail of Tears.  Go to the NPS website to discover more information about National Historic Trails.  

What is a National Historic Trail (NHT)? - Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

www.nps.gov

Next, investigate the interactive map that follows the Trail of Tears routes. Click on locations that are near you or in which you are interested. Notice the variety of historically significant places you can visit including homes, museums, and visitor centers. 

Places To Go - Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

You can also see various exhibits, photos, and videos if you want to learn even more about the Trail of Tears.

Photos & Multimedia - Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

photos and multimedia

What steps did leaders take to resolve the arguments over Native Americans’ lands?

Some Native American tribes, like the Seminole tribe of Florida, physically resisted removal from their lands.  Others fought using legal means.  In the case of Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831),  the Cherokee tribe asserted that Georgia laws passed to take their lands were a violation of previous land treaties.  The Supreme Court dismissed the case, noting that the Cherokee Nation was not a foreign nation within the U.S. boundaries, and thus the federal government had no right to interfere in the actions of the state of Georgia.  

However, one year later, the Supreme Court ruled very differently when a Christian minister named Samuel Worcester sued the state of Georgia challenging that it did not have a right to regulate activities on the Cherokee lands.  

Learn more by reading the brief article about the court case Worcester v. Georgia (1832) and complete the chart explaining the role of each leader regarding Indian removal.  The information about Samuel Worcester has been completed for you.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

In the court case Worcester v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court held in 1832 that the Cherokee Indians constituted a nation holding distinct sovereign powers. Although the decision became the foundatio

www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

NAH Leaders in Worcester v Georgia

New American History

docs.google.com

Read the following quotes made by key leaders in the conflict over Native American lands:

“To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement."

“The Indian nations had always been considered as distinct, independent political communities retaining their original natural rights as the undisputed possessors of the soil.”

“We are denationalized; we are disfranchised.  We are deprived of membership in the human family!  We have neither land nor home, nor resting place that can be called our own.”

Select your favorite quote listed above and use this link to create a  SketchQuote .  Sketchnotes are a form of visual note taking that allows you to combine hand lettering and sketches to annotate a variety of content, including quotes.  You can also use information from your chart to add to your SketchQuote.

  Your teacher may ask you to share your SketchQuote or record your answers on an exit ticket. 

What challenges are Native American tribes facing today?

Using the Bunk website, investigate the modern issues facing Native American tribes by searching “Native Americans” and clicking on one of the articles that interests you.

Notice the related content to the right of the excerpt. The stack of cards contains other articles, maps or content somehow connected to the original article on the left of the screen. 

The connection icons located to the left of the cards here represent Idea, Person, Place and Time, which refers to a connected article from a different time period. These icons and the connected articles you see on the screen may change over time as new content is added to Bunk.  

Select the “ View Connections ” button. 

Notice how the screen changes.

Take some time to explore this and other connections to the original excerpt you chose. Notice how each of the connections icons (Idea, Place, Person, Time) leads you to a new stack of cards with different articles and topics. Each of these topics in turn has a list of “tags” below the icon to help guide you towards new and different content. 

Now that you know how Bunk Connections work, you will be building a collection * of articles to help you answer the question, What challenges are Native American tribes facing today?

To build a collection, click on the first article that you have chosen and scroll down to the bottom of the excerpt to locate the Add to Collection button.

You will see a box labeled “Add a note.” This is where you will annotate, or write a brief description of how this excerpt helps you answer the question. Be sure to save your note using the green Save Note button. If you decide you want to remove an excerpt from your collection, you can return to the excerpt and select the red “Remove from Collection button.

Continue adding 3-5 excerpts to your collection, exploring the connections on Bunk and annotating each one. Be sure you are saving as you go along. Once you are finished, you may locate the blue bar at the bottom of your screen and select finalize. You MUST save and finish this during one class period. 

You will need to give your collection a title, and add your name and teacher’s name/class period. You may reorder the excerpts, and edit or delete a note or excerpt until you are satisfied with your work. Be sure you SAVE CHANGES before you select the green Complete Collection button. 

You will need to use an email address to share or retrieve your collection. For safety reasons, your teacher may choose to have you use their school email address, or they may use the Assignment feature instead of Collections on Bunk. 

Keep checking back on Bunk for more content. New is added every day!

*(Note: Your teacher may prefer you to complete an assignment they created in Bunk if your school does not allow students to access email. This is similar to the Collections feature in Bunk).

How has the modern United States government addressed past and current issues facing Native Americans?

In recent years, the United States government has begun acknowledging past transgressions against Indigenous populations in our country. Read this excerpt of the Senate Joint Resolution 14 from the 111th Congress (2009).

Text - S.J.Res.14 - 111th Congress (2009-2010)

Text for S.J.Res.14 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): A joint resolution to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the Federal Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.

www.congress.gov

Answer the following questions:

• Which three provisions do you think are the most significant?
• Does the apology go far enough?  Why or why not?
• What additional steps should the US government take in its relationship with Native American tribes?

In an effort to make all Americans more aware of historic Native American territories, the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture is calling “on all individuals and organizations to open public events and gatherings with acknowledgment of the traditional Native inhabitants of the land.”  If you would like to join this action, you can read more about it on the USDAC site . 

Not all Indigenous peoples are in agreement with the practice of using a Land Acknowledgement.   This Bunk excerpt explores the topic in more depth. Before adding a Land Acknowledgement to the agenda for a public event, a public-facing document, or as part of a learning experience for students, use the  Native-land.ca map territories map to access and contact the local nations in your area and open a dialogue on the topic. 

#HonorNativeLand — U.S. Department of Arts and Culture

Next, determine which Native American tribes lived in your area by using this map . 

NativeLand.ca

Welcome to Native Land. This is a resource for North Americans (and others) to find out more about local Indigenous territories and languages.

native-land.ca

Finally, you can share this information by creating a graphic design that you can share in your school, community, or via social media.  This poster is one example created by others that is displayed on the USDAC site .

Your teacher may ask you to share your poster or record your answers on an exit ticket.

Brownback, Sam. “Text - S.J.Res.14 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): A Joint Resolution to Acknowledge a Long History of Official Depredations and Ill-Conceived Policies by the Federal Government Regarding Indian Tribes and Offer an Apology to All Native Peoples on Behalf of the United States.” Congress.gov, August 6, 2009. https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/14/text .

“Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.” Federal Judicial Center. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.fjc.gov/history/timeline/cherokee-nation-v-georgia .

Garrison, Tim Alan. “Worcester v. Georgia (1832).” New Georgia Encyclopedia. New Georgia Encyclopedia, February 20, 2018. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/government-politics/worcester-v-georgia-1832 .

“Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement.” U.S. Department of Arts and Culture. Accessed August 1, 2020. https://usdac.us/nativeland .

Jones, Evan, and Matthew Dessem. “‘Work of Barbarity’: An Eyewitness Account of the Trail of Tears.” Bunk History. Slate, February 10, 2019. https://www.bunkhistory.org/resources/3885 .

Lindneux, Robert. “Trail of Tears.” Painting, 1942.   http://robertlindneux.com/art/lindneux-at-woolarco/ .

Native American Removal from the Southeast . National Geographic . National Geographic . Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/may28/indian-removal-act/ .

Native Land. Native Land Digital. Accessed August 1, 2020. https://native-land.ca/ .

Parker, Bryan D. You Are on Traditional Land . Honor Native Land . U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, October 1, 2017. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQH6z0rb-sxULDqJhvblfa0hg6A80aHYS80fA&usqp=CAU .

Pillar, Wendy, and Heather Marshall. “NAH Sketchquotes.” Google Docs. Google, June 24, 2020. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OpRRe9eK-xyb9UOY-AtEMCFjAtC7bQSuiAQcVAyXKcc/edit .

“Places To Go Trail of Tears Interactive Map.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, November 18, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/trte/planyourvisit/places-to-go.htm .

President Jackson's Message to Congress "On Indian Removal." December 6, 1830. Records of the United States Senate, 1789‐1990. Record Group 46. Records of the United States Senate, 1789‐1990. National Archives and Records Administration.  https://www.nps.gov/museum/tmc/MANZ/handouts/Andrew_Jackson_Annual_Message.pdf

Ross, John. “Letter from Chief John Ross ‘To the Senate and House of Representatives September 28, 1836.” PBS. Public Broadcasting Service. Accessed July 15, 2020. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3083t.html .

“Samuel A. Worcester, Plaintiff in ERROR v. THE STATE OF GEORGIA.” Legal Information Institute. Legal Information Institute. Accessed July 15, 2020. https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/31/515 .

Sobo, E., Lambert, M., & Lambert, V. (2021, October 7). Land acknowledgments meant to honor indigenous people too often do the opposite. Bunk History. Retrieved from https://www.bunkhistory.org/resources/8864 .

Trail of Tears . PBS LearningMedia . American Experience, 2020. https://vpm.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/akh10.socst.ush.exp.trail/trail-of-tears/ .

“Trail of Tears Photos & Multimedia.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, November 22, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/trte/learn/photosmultimedia/index.htm .

This work by New American History is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) International License . Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at newamericanhistory.org.

Comments? Questions?

Let us know what you think about this Learning Resource. We’d also love to hear other ideas or answer questions from you!

Trail of Tears Research Paper Topics

This page presents a comprehensive guide to Trail of Tears research paper topics , tailored for students of history who seek to delve into this tragic chapter of American history. From an extensive list of topics to valuable tips on selecting and crafting research papers, this page aims to equip students with the necessary tools to navigate through the complexities of the Trail of Tears and to understand its significance in shaping the nation’s past and present. Additionally, we introduce iResearchNet’s writing services, a reliable partner in providing top-quality custom research papers that meet students’ academic requirements and elevate their understanding of this critical historical event.

100 Trail of Tears Research Paper Topics

The Trail of Tears remains a poignant and significant episode in American history, exemplifying the dark side of westward expansion and the profound impact it had on Native American communities. To aid students in their research endeavors, we present a comprehensive list of Trail of Tears research paper topics, divided into 10 categories, each offering valuable insights into different aspects of this tragic event.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

• The Indian Removal Act of 1830: Origins and implications
• The political climate and public opinion surrounding Native American removal
• Examination of treaties and agreements leading to forced removal
• Comparison of Native American removal policies with other historical instances
• The role of President Andrew Jackson in the Trail of Tears
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on U.S. government and policies toward Native Americans
• Native American resistance and activism during the removal
• The Trail of Tears as a turning point in Native American-U.S. government relations
• The Trail of Tears in the broader context of American expansionism
• The ethical and moral implications of the Trail of Tears
• Cherokee culture and society before the Trail of Tears
• Principal Chiefs and tribal leadership during the removal
• The impact of removal on Cherokee communities
• Cherokee cultural preservation and adaptation after the relocation
• The significance of Cherokee language and education during the Trail of Tears
• The role of Cherokee women during the removal process
• The representation of Cherokee people in contemporary literature and media
• The legacy of Cherokee removal in modern-day Cherokee Nation
• Cherokee-Native American relations after the Trail of Tears
• The portrayal of the Cherokee removal in oral histories and folktales
• The different routes taken by various tribes
• Conditions and challenges faced during the journey
• Accounts of individual experiences during the relocation
• The impact of geography and environment on the Trail of Tears
• The role of military escorts and their treatment of Native Americans
• The significance of rivers and waterways in the forced removal
• The role of missionaries and churches in aiding or opposing the removal
• The Trail of Tears as a transnational event affecting multiple Native American nations
• The use of primary sources, such as diaries and letters, to reconstruct the journey
• The archeological evidence and artifacts related to the Trail of Tears routes
• The experiences of Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes
• Comparisons between the different tribes’ experiences
• Resilience and adaptation of Native American communities after relocation
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on intertribal relations and alliances
• The legacy of the Trail of Tears in other Native American removals
• The influence of non-removal tribes in advocating for those affected by the Trail of Tears
• The role of Native American leaders and activists in response to removal policies
• The cultural exchange and conflicts between different Native American tribes during the relocation
• The representation of other Native American tribes in historical accounts of the Trail of Tears
• The historical memory and commemoration of the Trail of Tears among non-Cherokee tribes
• Attempts at legal challenges and resistance against removal
• Life in the Indian Territory and efforts at rebuilding communities
• Comparing pre- and post-removal living conditions and challenges
• The impact of forced assimilation policies on Native American communities
• Native American efforts at preserving cultural practices and traditions in the Indian Territory
• The role of trade and economic activities in the Indian Territory
• The role of education and mission schools in the Indian Territory
• The influence of European settlers and traders in the Indian Territory
• The significance of land ownership and distribution in the Indian Territory
• The consequences of disease and illness on Native American populations in the Indian Territory
• Effects on the economies of Native American tribes
• Influence on the Southern economy and agricultural labor
• Interactions and tensions between Native Americans and white settlers
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on the Southern labor force
• The role of African American slaves in the removal process and the Indian Territory
• The economic and social dynamics between Native American tribes and African American slaves in the Indian Territory
• The role of Native American labor and participation in the Southern economy after removal
• The role of missionaries and churches in aiding Native American economic development in the Indian Territory
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on Southern society and culture
• The representation of economic aspects of the Trail of Tears in historical documents and literature
• The psychological trauma experienced by Native American communities during the Trail of Tears
• The impact of forced assimilation and acculturation on Native American identity
• The preservation and revival of cultural practices and traditions after the removal
• The role of storytelling and oral traditions in passing down the memory of the Trail of Tears
• The representation of the Trail of Tears in Native American art and literature
• The intergenerational effects of the Trail of Tears on Native American communities
• The influence of the Trail of Tears on Native American religious beliefs and practices
• The relationship between Native American spirituality and land in the context of the removal
• The depiction of Native American cultures in the media and popular culture after the Trail of Tears
• The exploration of cultural resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity
• The response of U.S. government and political leaders to the Trail of Tears
• The justification and debate over Native American removal policies
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on the U.S. Supreme Court and legal interpretations of indigenous rights
• The influence of the Trail of Tears on subsequent federal Indian policies
• The role of advocacy groups and activists in challenging removal policies
• The legacy of the Trail of Tears in modern Native American rights movements
• The examination of treaties and agreements violated during the removal process
• The international response and criticism of the U.S. government’s removal policies
• The role of local and state governments in facilitating or opposing the removal
• The exploration of reparations and recognition efforts for the descendants of those affected by the Trail of Tears
• The involvement and experiences of African American slaves during the Trail of Tears
• The relationship between Native American slaveholders and their African American slaves
• The role of African American slaves in the Cherokee Nation and other tribes
• The challenges faced by African American communities after the removal
• The intersectionality of African American and Native American identities and experiences
• The impact of the Trail of Tears on African American migration and settlement patterns
• The legacy of the Trail of Tears in African American cultural memory and heritage
• The portrayal of African American perspectives on the removal in historical accounts
• The influence of the Trail of Tears on African American civil rights movements
• The examination of race relations and interactions between African Americans and Native Americans in the Indian Territory
• The ways in which the Trail of Tears is commemorated and memorialized today
• The establishment and significance of Trail of Tears National Historic Trails and museums
• The representation of the Trail of Tears in public history and education
• The exploration of contested narratives and perspectives on the removal
• The role of historical preservation and archeology in understanding the Trail of Tears
• The significance of local and community efforts to remember the Trail of Tears
• The impact of cultural heritage and tourism on the memory of the Trail of Tears
• The comparison of American and indigenous perspectives on the Trail of Tears
• The role of storytelling and oral history in preserving the memory of the Trail of Tears
• The examination of ongoing efforts to reconcile and come to terms with the historical legacy of the Trail of Tears

This comprehensive list of Trail of Tears research paper topics provides students with a diverse array of avenues to explore the Trail of Tears, examining its historical context, cultural implications, and long-lasting effects on both Native American tribes and the nation as a whole. Each topic offers unique opportunities for critical analysis and contributes to a deeper understanding of this tragic and significant event in American history. Whether focusing on the experiences of specific tribes, the socio-economic impact, or the event’s portrayal in popular culture, students can uncover a wealth of insights and perspectives that shed light on the complex legacy of the Trail of Tears.

Trail of Tears: A Tragic Chapter in American History

The Trail of Tears stands as one of the most tragic and consequential events in American history, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s conscience. This 1000-word article will delve into the historical context, causes, and profound consequences of the Trail of Tears, shedding light on the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands and the devastating impact it had on their cultures and livelihoods. Moreover, this article will highlight the significance of researching the Trail of Tears and the relevance it holds in contemporary times, as its legacy continues to shape the course of Native American communities and the United States as a whole.

Historical Context and Causes

To comprehend the significance of the Trail of Tears, it is crucial to understand its historical context. In the early 19th century, the United States underwent rapid expansion, driven by a fervent desire for territorial acquisition and economic growth. This ambition came at the expense of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the fertile lands of the Southeastern United States. As white settlers sought more land for agriculture and settlement, the federal government pursued a policy of forced removal of Native American tribes, leading to the tragic events that would become known as the Trail of Tears.

The Forced Removal

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of several Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole, from their ancestral homelands to lands west of the Mississippi River. The removal process was marked by deception, coercion, and violence. The tribes were subjected to treaties that were often obtained through unfair negotiations and signed under duress. These treaties stripped them of their land rights and forced them to leave behind their homes, communities, and cultural heritage.

Impact on Cultures and Livelihoods

The consequences of the Trail of Tears were devastating for the Native American tribes. The forced migration resulted in the loss of countless lives due to exposure, disease, and hunger. Families were torn apart, and entire communities were uprooted from their traditional ways of life. The removal had a profound impact on the tribes’ cultures, as they struggled to maintain their customs, languages, and religious practices in their new, unfamiliar surroundings. The forced assimilation into white American society further eroded their cultural identity and threatened the survival of their distinct ways of life.

Significance of Researching the Trail of Tears

Researching the Trail of Tears is not merely an academic pursuit but a moral imperative. Understanding the historical injustice and the human toll of this dark chapter in American history is essential for acknowledging the wrongs committed against Native American communities. It provides an opportunity to confront the legacy of dispossession, discrimination, and marginalization that continues to affect these communities today. By exploring this historical event, researchers can gain insights into the complexity of Native American experiences and the resilience of their cultures in the face of immense challenges.

Relevance in Contemporary Times

The legacy of the Trail of Tears reverberates in contemporary American society. It serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of colonization, racism, and forced assimilation on indigenous peoples. The struggle for land rights, self-determination, and recognition of cultural heritage remains ongoing for Native American communities. Researching the Trail of Tears allows for a deeper understanding of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by these communities and the urgent need for reconciliation and social justice.

The Trail of Tears represents a dark and tragic chapter in American history, marked by the forced removal of Native American tribes and the immense suffering they endured. This article has provided insights into the historical context, causes, and consequences of the Trail of Tears, shedding light on its devastating impact on Native American cultures and livelihoods. Moreover, it has emphasized the importance of researching this pivotal event and its relevance in contemporary times, calling for greater awareness and acknowledgment of the historical injustices committed against Native American communities. By studying the Trail of Tears, we can strive for a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of American history, fostering a commitment to justice, reconciliation, and respect for the diverse cultures that shape our nation.

How to Choose Trail of Tears Research Paper Topics

Selecting a research paper topic on the Trail of Tears requires careful consideration and sensitivity to the historical significance and cultural implications of this tragic event. This section will provide valuable guidance on how to choose compelling and meaningful Trail of Tears research paper topics that delve into different aspects of the Trail of Tears. By following these 10 tips, students can navigate the complexities of this subject and contribute to a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.

• Define Your Area of Interest : Begin by identifying your area of interest within the Trail of Tears. Are you fascinated by the historical context, the impact on Native American cultures, the political dynamics involved, or the legacy in contemporary society? Narrowing down your focus will help you choose a topic that resonates with your passion and curiosity.
• Explore Different Perspectives : The Trail of Tears was a multi-faceted event with far-reaching consequences. Consider exploring different perspectives, such as the experiences of specific tribes like the Cherokee or the Choctaw, the roles of government officials involved in the removal process, or the viewpoints of white settlers who supported or opposed the removal.
• Examine Cultural and Social Implications : The forced removal of Native American tribes had profound cultural and social implications. Consider topics that delve into the impact on Native American languages, religions, traditions, and family structures. You could also explore the resilience and preservation of cultural identity among the displaced tribes.
• Analyze Political and Legal Aspects : The Trail of Tears was shaped by political decisions and legal mechanisms. Investigate topics related to the treaties, legislation, and court cases that paved the way for the removal, as well as the political motivations behind these actions.
• Study Human Rights and Ethics : The Trail of Tears raises ethical questions about human rights violations and the treatment of indigenous peoples. Explore topics that delve into the ethical considerations of the removal policy, the responsibility of the government, and the lessons it offers for modern-day human rights issues.
• Consider Economic Factors : Economic interests played a significant role in the forced removal of Native American tribes. Trail of Tears research paper topics exploring the economic motivations behind the removal, the impact on the tribes’ economies, and the consequences for both Native Americans and white settlers can provide valuable insights.
• Investigate Resistance and Resilience : Despite the hardships they faced, Native American tribes displayed remarkable resistance and resilience. Trail of Tears research paper topics that highlight the efforts of tribes to resist removal, such as legal challenges, petitions, and peaceful protests, as well as their efforts to rebuild their communities in new territories.
• Examine Intercultural Encounters : The Trail of Tears brought Native American tribes into contact with other cultures, such as white settlers and African Americans. Investigate topics that explore the interactions, conflicts, and exchanges between these different groups during this tumultuous period.
• Explore Art and Literature : Artists and writers have captured the emotions and experiences of the Trail of Tears through various mediums. Consider research paper topics that analyze the portrayal of the removal in art, literature, and media, and how these representations shape public memory and understanding.
• Reflect on Modern Implications : The Trail of Tears has lasting implications in contemporary society. Trail of Tears research paper topics that examine the ongoing impact on Native American communities, the recognition of historical injustices, and the importance of reconciliation and healing can contribute to current discussions on social justice and cultural heritage.

Choosing a research paper topic on the Trail of Tears is a critical step in contributing to the understanding and commemoration of this significant event in American history. By exploring different angles, perspectives, and implications, students can shed light on the complex and poignant story of the forced removal of Native American tribes, providing valuable insights into the legacy and ongoing relevance of the Trail of Tears in the modern world.

How to Write a Trail of Tears Research Paper

Writing a research paper on the Trail of Tears requires careful planning, in-depth research, and a nuanced understanding of historical events and cultural complexities. In this section, we will guide you through the process of crafting a comprehensive and compelling research paper that explores the Trail of Tears and its significance in American history. Follow these 10 tips to ensure your paper effectively communicates the profound impact of this tragic chapter.

• Thoroughly Research the Trail of Tears : Begin your journey by delving into a wide range of reputable sources, including academic books, scholarly articles, primary documents, and online databases. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical context, the various tribes involved, the removal process, and the aftermath of the Trail of Tears.
• Develop a Clear Thesis Statement : Your thesis statement is the foundation of your research paper. It should succinctly state the main argument or focus of your paper. Ensure that your thesis statement reflects the specific aspect of the Trail of Tears you intend to explore and the significance of your findings.
• Outline Your Paper’s Structure : Organize your research and ideas by creating a detailed outline for your paper. Include sections for the introduction, literature review, methodology (if applicable), main body paragraphs, analysis, and conclusion. Each section should flow logically and support your thesis.
• Use Diverse Sources and Evidence : To present a well-rounded analysis, utilize a diverse range of sources and evidence. Incorporate historical records, firsthand accounts, official documents, statistical data, and scholarly interpretations. Using varied sources strengthens the credibility of your research.
• Analyze Historical Context and Causes : Devote a section of your research paper to the historical context and causes of the Trail of Tears. Explain the political, economic, and social factors that led to the forced removal of Native American tribes. Provide a comprehensive overview to set the stage for your analysis.
• Address the Impact on Native American Tribes : Explore the profound impact of the Trail of Tears on the affected Native American tribes. Discuss the devastating consequences of forced relocation, loss of ancestral lands, and disruptions to their cultures, languages, and traditions. Highlight the resilience and perseverance of the tribes amidst adversity.
• Evaluate Government Policies and Decisions : Examine the government policies and decisions that led to the Trail of Tears. Analyze the role of President Andrew Jackson, the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and the enforcement of removal treaties. Assess the ethical implications and historical consequences of these policies.
• Analyze Intercultural Encounters and Conflicts : Within your research paper, explore the interactions and conflicts that arose between Native American tribes, white settlers, and government officials during the removal process. Discuss the cultural clashes, misunderstandings, and power dynamics that shaped these encounters.
• Discuss Historical Memory and Commemoration : Address how the Trail of Tears is remembered and commemorated in contemporary society. Explore how different groups interpret and remember this event, and discuss the efforts made to honor the memory of those who suffered during the forced removal.
• Conclude with Reflection and Implications : In your conclusion, restate your thesis and summarize your main findings. Reflect on the lasting implications of the Trail of Tears in shaping American history and the ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities. Offer insights into the importance of understanding this historical event and its relevance in the present day.

By following these tips and conducting rigorous research, you can craft a thought-provoking and insightful research paper that honors the legacy of the Trail of Tears and contributes to a deeper understanding of this tragic chapter in American history.

iResearchNet’s Writing Services:

Your partner in trail of tears research papers.

At iResearchNet, we understand the significance of the Trail of Tears and its impact on American history and Native American communities. We recognize the importance of producing well-researched and insightful papers that explore this tragic chapter in depth. Our team of expert writers, with their academic expertise and profound knowledge of history, is committed to providing students with top-quality, custom-written research papers on the Trail of Tears.

• Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our writing team consists of highly qualified experts with advanced degrees in history and related fields. They have extensive experience in conducting research on complex historical topics like the Trail of Tears and possess the skills to create engaging and well-structured research papers.
• Custom Written Works : We take pride in delivering 100% original and customized research papers tailored to meet your specific requirements. Our writers approach each paper from scratch, ensuring that the content is unique, well-referenced, and free from any form of plagiarism.
• In-Depth Research : Understanding the complexity of the Trail of Tears and its historical context, our writers conduct thorough research from reputable sources to provide a comprehensive analysis of this significant event. They integrate a diverse range of scholarly materials to ensure the paper is academically robust.
• Custom Formatting : Our writers are well-versed in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. They meticulously format your research paper according to your preferred style guide and ensure proper citation of sources.
• Top Quality : We prioritize delivering high-quality research papers that exceed your expectations. Our writing team is committed to upholding academic excellence and adhering to the highest standards of writing and research.
• Customized Solutions : We understand that every student’s research paper needs are unique. Our writers tailor their approach to meet your specific instructions, research questions, and academic goals.
• Flexible Pricing : We offer competitive and transparent pricing, ensuring that our services are accessible to students with varying budget constraints. Our flexible pricing options allow you to choose the level of service that best suits your needs.
• Short Deadlines : For students facing tight deadlines, we provide quick turnaround times without compromising on quality. Our writers can efficiently produce well-researched papers in as little as 3 hours.
• Timely Delivery : We recognize the importance of meeting deadlines, and our writers are committed to delivering your research paper on time. We take pride in our prompt and reliable service.
• 24/7 Support : Our customer support team is available round the clock to address any queries or concerns you may have. Feel free to reach out to us at any time, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
• Absolute Privacy : We prioritize the confidentiality of your personal information and ensure that your interactions with our service remain private and secure.
• Easy Order Tracking : With our user-friendly platform, you can easily track the progress of your research paper, communicate with your assigned writer, and stay informed throughout the writing process.
• Money Back Guarantee : We stand behind the quality of our work, and if you are not satisfied with the final paper, we offer a money-back guarantee to ensure your complete satisfaction.

In conclusion, iResearchNet is your trusted partner in producing outstanding Trail of Tears research papers. With our team of expert writers, commitment to quality, and dedication to academic excellence, we are ready to assist you in exploring the profound impact of the Trail of Tears and its significance in American history. Let us help you unleash your potential and excel in your academic journey with our exceptional writing services.

Unleash Your Potential with iResearchNet

Are you struggling to find the right research paper topic on the Trail of Tears? Do you need expert assistance to craft a well-researched and compelling paper that delves deep into this significant chapter in American history? Look no further! iResearchNet is here to support you every step of the way.

Don’t let the challenges of researching and writing on this topic hold you back. Let iResearchNet be your trusted partner in your academic journey. With our expert writers, customized solutions, and commitment to academic excellence, we are here to support you in every way possible.

Take the first step towards producing an exceptional research paper on the Trail of Tears. Contact iResearchNet today and unleash your potential with our top-quality writing services. Together, we can uncover the historical truths and legacies of this tragic chapter in American history.

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America’s Heartbreak

This essay about the Trail of Tears examines a somber period in American history when thousands of Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands and faced a devastating march to designated territories, known as the Indian Removal Act of 1830. It highlights the greed and false pretenses that fueled this tragedy, the harsh conditions endured during the removal, and the profound consequences on Native American communities and their connection to the land. The piece reflects on the enduring legacy of this event, challenging America to confront its past and recognize the resilience of Native American peoples. Through this historical lens, the essay calls for a continued effort towards reconciliation and the importance of remembering this dark chapter to prevent future injustices.

How it works

The Trail of Tears isn’t merely a segment within historical archives; it represents a profound wound etched into the essence of America, narrating a tale of anguish, deprivation, and fortitude that resonates through time. Born from avarice and veiled under the guise of progress, this tragic saga witnessed the forceful displacement of multitudes of Native Americans from their native territories, embarking on a journey toward an uncertain and somber destiny. This exposition delves into the distressing intricacies of their odyssey, the policies that paved the dolorous path, and the enduring imprint it etched upon the nation’s psyche.

In the early throes of the 19th century, the quest for territorial expansion and resources laid the groundwork for a calamity. The unearthing of gold on Cherokee soil only exacerbated tensions, culminating in the enactment of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, championed by President Andrew Jackson. Ostensibly cloaked as a measure for societal advancement, it bore the hallmarks of exploitation and entitlement, sanctified by legislative decree.

The ensuing removal metamorphosed into a dystopian march. Commencing amidst the frigid embrace of winter in 1838, upwards of 16,000 Cherokee, alongside cohorts from other indigenous tribes, were corralled like chattel over a span of a thousand miles by military enforcers. They confronted the merciless whims of nature bereft of adequate sustenance, shelter, or warmth, with many succumbing to the perils of the journey. The Trail of Tears transcended mere geographical traversal; it epitomized a trajectory paved with anguish, with each footfall serving as a poignant testament to irreparable loss.

The aftermath of this coerced expedition proved catastrophic. Communities were fractured, cultures upended, and an intrinsic bond with the land irrevocably severed. For the affected tribes, it constituted a blow reverberating across generations, a forfeiture of life and legacy whose magnitude defies quantification. For the nation, it stands as a historical juncture demanding introspection, exposing a dissonance with the professed values it purported to uphold.

Presently, the Trail of Tears serves as a sobering admonition from history, imploring us to recollect the toll of injustice and the resilience of the human spirit. It serves as a clarion call to acknowledge the transgressions of yore, to extol the survival and vitality of Native American cultures, and to safeguard against the recurrence of such tragedies. It transcends the confines of historical narrative; it embodies a lesson in humaneness, a chronicle beseeching us to heed, assimilate, and, above all, to perpetually remember.

Cite this page

The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak. (2024, Mar 25). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/

"The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak." PapersOwl.com , 25 Mar 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/ [Accessed: 28 Apr. 2024]

"The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak." PapersOwl.com, Mar 25, 2024. Accessed April 28, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/

"The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak," PapersOwl.com , 25-Mar-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/. [Accessed: 28-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Trail of Tears: Echoes of America's Heartbreak . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-trail-of-tears-echoes-of-americas-heartbreak/ [Accessed: 28-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching Expertise

• Classroom Ideas
• Teacher’s Life
• Deals & Shopping
• Privacy Policy

18 Activities To Teach About The Trail Of Tears

March 10, 2023 //  by  Josilyn Markel

The Trail of Tears was a dark stain on American history, and it’s a key point to study in Native American Social Studies classes. This historical event dramatically shaped the expansion of the nation, and it’s important for middle and high school students to understand the impact that the Trail of Tears had on history. We’ve collected eighteen of the top American resources for a history teachers to help their students understand the Trail of Tears, including comprehensive lesson plans and historical sources. Explore them below! 

1. Introduction Activity

This activity provides an overview of all the major players in the Trail of Tears, including Andrew Jackson, John Ross, and the Cherokee Nation. It looks at the main causes of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which was a major turning point for Native Americans.

Learn More: Study

2. Interactive Trail Map

This is an online map that displays the Trail of Tears and all of the main points including Native American ancestral homelands, and geographical features along the way. It also highlights major historical events that occurred along the Trail of Tears. 

Learn More: XR Learning Hub

3. Trail of Tears Web Quest

This Trail of Tears web quest is an interactive activity that follows Andrew Jackson’s decision to send Native American people to Oklahoma. Use these questions along with an online resource to take your students along the horse trails and backwaters that have come to define the Trail of Tears. 

Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers

4. Trail of Tears Geography Lesson Plan

This resource features color maps and references historical events to give students a complete geographical understanding of the Trail of Tears. 

Learn More: Twinkl

5. Major Lessons from the Trail of Tears

This online quiz is an activity that will help students understand and remember the lasting effects that the Trail of Tears had on Native American tribes and the development of the country as a whole. 

Learn More: Quizlet

6. Who Was Andrew Jackson?

This video explores the life and personality of Andrew Jackson. It speaks to how his presidency impacted American Indians, the development of the country, and foreign policy; even to this day.

Learn More: TED-Ed

7. Traditions and Customs of the Cherokee Nation

This resource can help you teach more about the background of the Cherokee Nation. These customs offer a deeper insight into the devastating effects of the Trail of Tears on the Native American tribes; effects that can still be seen to this day. The resource offers comprehension and discussion questions to help your students internalize and synthesize the information in the guide. 

Learn More: Native American Traditions in Appalachia

8. Vocabulary Worksheet 

This worksheet will prepare your class to have an in-depth discussion. After covering these vocabulary items, students will be able to use the proper words and phrases to express their understanding of the Trail of Tears. 

Learn More: Trail of Tears Vocabulary Worksheet

9. The Cherokee Nation and Forced Relocation

At the heart of the Trail of Tears, American Expansion turned to Official Indian Removal. This material digs into the causes and effects of the Trail of Tears and offers several ways to get students to write critically about the historical period from many different perspectives. 

Learn More: Teaching with Historic Places

10. Video: The Trail of Tears Explained

This video is a great introduction to the Trail of Tears! It looks at many of the main themes and historic events that came to define this period of Native American relocation. 

Learn More: Hip Hughes

11. Primary Source: The Indian Removal Act of 1830

You can explore the law that set off the Trail of Tears by analyzing the Act of 1830. This will help students get used to the language of the time, and see the law for how it really is. 

Learn More: Indian Removal Act  

12. History Mystery

This interactive slideshow is a wonderful, ready-to-use resource! It features an engaging approach to teaching the Trail of Tears and uses a narrative layout to keep students focused. It’s an online, gamified lesson that students can complete individually, or that you can work through together as a whole class. 

Learn More: SlidePlayer

13. Trail of Tears Introductory Slideshow

This slideshow gives some of the historic and tragic events that came to define the Trail of Tears. It also looks at the period and policies from different perspectives and emphasizes students do the same. 

Learn More: SlideShare

14. Primary Source Documents About the Trail of Tears

This is a whole collection of primary sources, along with a couple of secondary sources, that look at the Indian Removal Act of 1830 directly in its historical context. This will allow students to adopt a first-person perspective of this historical period. 

Learn More: Dropbox  

15. Trail of Tears Worksheet Bundle

This packet of worksheets includes guided notes and several paper-based activities for upper elementary and middle school-aged students. It features puzzles and games with the key vocabulary about the Trail of Tears, which will help teach and reinforce these important ideas.

Learn More: KidsKonnect

16. Discussion Questions About the Trail of Tears

This list of discussion questions will help motivate your students to talk about all the things they’ve learned about the Trail of Tears. The questions focus on higher-order, critical thinking. 

Learn More: Bill of Rights Institute

17. Trail of Tears Essay Prompts

This is a list of essay prompts that will get students thinking and writing from different perspectives. You can use these questions as a way to assess students’ understanding at the end of the unit. You can also use these as test questions that will have students thinking deeper as the unit comes to a close. 

Learn More: gradesfixer.com

18. Trail of Tears: End-of-Unit Research Project

For a deeper understanding of the Trail of Tears, have students complete an in-depth research project. This is a great way to promote research and writing skills that they will use throughout their academic careers. Students can also present the findings of their research in class.

Learn More: Ultius

72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best trail of tears topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 good essay topics on trail of tears, 🔎 simple & easy trail of tears essay titles, ❓ trail of tears research questions.

• Summary of “Trail of Tears” by John Ehle This analysis by John Ehle is about the rise and fall of the Cherokee nation resulting from the forced removal of the Cherokees who were Native Americans from their ancestral lands in Georgia to the […]
• “Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears” by Robert Conley The book under consideration in this paper, “Mountain Windsong: A novel of the trail of tears” by Robert Conley depicts the events of those times showing the tragedy of the Indian people of the Cherokee […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Native Americans History: Trail of Tears Therefore, The Trail of Tears was a battle between the Europeans and Native Americans, often referred to as the American Holocaust because it completely outcast a group of people due to the fact they were […]
• Cherokee Removal: The Trail of Tears, 1833-1839 Thus, I should state that the Cherokees had many reasons to discuss the forced relocation as the ‘Trail of Tears’ because they suffered significantly and saw a lot of deaths during the journey.
• Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation However, the primary advantage of the book is that it presents a different perspective and casts light on some facts of relationships between Native and White Americans that people, whether intentionally or not, tend to […]
• The Keys of Territorial Expansion: The Trail of Tears The parties opposing the removal were advancing their arguments around the following points; one of them is that the US should implement policies that were applicable to the cases of the affected and that they […]
• The Trail of Tears: Historical Overview The trail of tears was a term that was used to refer to the forced movement and the relocation of these native Indians tribes.
• America’s Early National Disgrace, the Trail of Tears of 1838
• Andrew Jackson and the Elimination of the Cherokee Indians in the Trail of Tears
• Book Review “Trail of Tears”: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation
• Cherokee Native American Indians and the Trail of Tears
• The Injustices and Inhumanity in the Trail of Tears
• Cherokee Population Losses During Trail of Tears
• The Original Race Discrimination in America of the Trail of Tears
• Cherokee Tribe Before and After Trail of Tears
• Comparing the Middle Passage to the Trail of Tears
• Historical Background and Review of the “Trail of Tears”
• Life With the Ojibwa: A Modern Day Trail of Tears
• Starvation, Illness, and Death of the Native Americans in Trail of Tears
• The Five Civilized Tribes and the “Trail of Tears”
• The Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears
• The Misguided Policy That Put the Cherokee Indians on the Trail of Tears
• The U. S. Oppression of the Native Americans on the Trail of Tears
• Voices From the “Trail of Tears” by Vicki Rozema
• Western Expansion and the Trail of Tears
• The Sufferings of the Native Americans During the Trail of Tears
• An Argument in Favor of the Trail of Tears
• The Trail of Tears and the Long Walk of the Navajo
• The History of the Genocide in the Trail of Tears
• Historical Background of the Trail of Tears
• The Trail of Tears: Event That Changed the Native Americans
• Trail of Tears: A Part of Cherokee Nation’s History
• Causes of the Trail of Tears
• The Pros and Cons of the Trail of Tears
• Cherokee Women in Crisis: Trail of Tears, Civil War, and Allotment
• Cherokee Trail of Tears: One of the Removals of Eastern Tribes to Oklahoma
• History of the Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears
• Trail of Tears: Definition, Date, and Cherokee Nation
• The Policy of Doom That Led to the Trail of Tears
• The Effects on Native Americans of the Trail of Tears
• Stories of the Trail of Tears in Oklahoma History
• Facts and Significance of the Trail of Tears
• The Trail of Tears and the Forced Relocation of the Cherokee Nation
• The Indian Removal Act and Its Effect on the Trail of Tears
• Supreme Court Decision of the Trail of Tears
• In What Order Did the Five Civilized Tribes Make the Trail of Tears
• Affect the Trail of Tears on the Cherokee Nation
• What Lesson Can Be Learned from the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Indian Removal Act Affect Native American Culture?
• Why Were Native Americans Forced on the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Trail of Tears Affect the Future?
• What Diseases Did the Trail of Tears Bring?
• How Did the Trail of Tears Destroy Native American Culture?
• What Was the Social Impact of the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Trail of Tears Change American History?
• Was the Trail of Tears an Example of the Indian Removal Policy Implemented by the United States Government During Jackson’s Time?
• How Is the Trail of Tears Remembered Today?
• What Misguided Policies Led the Cherokee Indians Through Hell on the Trail of Tears?
• How Was the Cherokee Involved in the Trail of Tears?
• What Is the Native American History of the Trail of Tears?
• Why Did the United States Oppress Native Americans on the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Soldiers Treat the Indians During the Trail of Tears?
• What Supreme Court Decision and Jackson’s Response Led to the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Trail of Tears Affect History?
• Which Tribe Lost the Most People During the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Trail of Tears and the Indian Removal Act Affect Westward Expansion?
• What Were the Main Causes of Death on the Trail of Tears?
• Has Anyone Tried to Stop the Trail of Tears?
• Why Is the Trail of Tears Called a National Tragedy?
• What Is the Significance of the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears?
• How Did the Trail of Tears End?
• What Happened to the Natives After the Trail of Tears?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, March 22). 72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/trail-of-tears-essay-topics/

"72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 22 Mar. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/trail-of-tears-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 22 March.

IvyPanda . 2023. "72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 22, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/trail-of-tears-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 22, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/trail-of-tears-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "72 Trail Of Tears Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 22, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/trail-of-tears-essay-topics/.

• The Trail of Tears Questions
• Colonization Essay Ideas
• World History Topics
• Indian Culture Essay Ideas
• Texas Essay Titles
• Andrew Jackson Ideas
• Genocide Essay Titles
• History Topics
• Pocahontas Titles
• US History Topics
• American Revolution Topics
• Native American Questions
• Ethnographic Paper Topics
• Torture Essay Ideas
• Christopher Columbus Essay Topics

The Daily Illini

Opinion | Indigenous history education needs a serious upgrade

The Trail of Tears. 

Something every high school student taking AP United States History should know. Check out that singular flashcard on Quizlet, and done — one more point towards an A. 

Something is deeply askew if the whole of the Native American experience is folded neatly into this clean package of suffering and strife — one of the lowest points in Native history becoming its single horrifically defining moment for the sake of brevity. 

Beyond the Trail of Tears, the route of massive relocations from the 1830s to the 1850s of over 50,000 Native Americans from their homes east of the Mississippi to reserves out West, generalizations are awaiting those taught the history of the ones who settled on this continent first.

The first Thanksgiving story is the Seven Years’ War and the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!

• Headline News 🔔 Catch the latest on University of Illinois news, sports, and more. Delivered every weekday.
• Press Box 🏀 Stay up to date on all things Illini sports. Delivered every Monday.

These are important events, but their typical narratives leave out one crucial element that is so often missing from Native American education — the indigenous peoples’ autonomy. In all of the commonly-taught historical events involving the natives, things simply happen to them.

What makes this so easy to fall into is that the long receipt of injustices dealt to the Native American population reaches the floor. However, if the U.S. wants to truly heal old wounds and repay the original owners of its land, it should start by integrating the proper history of Native Americans into its educational system. 

It is no simple task. There is no one Native American history. 

As of January 2024, there are 574 federally recognized indigenous tribes existing within the U.S., spanning across the nation with a major concentration in the Southwest.  Each of these tribes has its own distinct culture and traditions, making the task of roping all indigenous history under one umbrella not only a disingenuous proposition but simply an incorrect one. 

We can start by approaching the matter from a social perspective. The general population of the U.S. is aware that Native populations have suffered in the past, but present problems seem to fade into the hopeful muddled distance we have from the 1800s. An indigenous advocate group’s 2018 study found that only a third of Americans believe that Native Americans currently face discrimination. 

It is from a place of ignorance, not malice, that most Americans disregard the current plights of Native Americans, including the highest rates of suicide and alcohol-related orders of any minority group in the U.S. 

This can be remedied through better education, and efforts are already on the way. 

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian has been innovating with its lesson plans and expanding its exhibits to provide a deeper understanding of indigenous history. Not only does the museum intend to give more insightful looks into how political treaties between Native populations and the federal government failed, but it also intends to provide a voice for indigenous perspectives. 

One exhibit that focuses on the Trail of Tears features interviews from descendants of the Cherokee peoples who were forced out of their lands. Their stories are not ones of passive relocation and tragedy but ones of active resistance against Andrew Jackson’s administration. The interviews also spotlight the ramifications of the removals that are still felt in Native communities today — the effects of uprooting entire nations. 

Illinois is among the states making new efforts to fix the wide blindspot Native history inhabits in the American psyche. 

In Summer 2023, Governor Pritzker signed a bill into law that allowed public school students to celebrate their ethnic backgrounds during graduation ceremonies. The move followed a Chicago Native American student forced to sit in the bleachers at his graduation after expressing a desire to wear an eagle feather and beads with his gown.

The University of Illinois’ Department of History and College of Education have also worked to expand student awareness of Native issues, noting that the Trail of Tears is the single drop in the bucket of Native history taught widely. 

However, as a university that actively reminds its student populace of its deep sorrow for being built on Native land at every possible opportunity, like a child who knocked over their mother’s vase, the University is likely not the school in most need of this outward awareness. These frequent acknowledgments from the University are nonetheless important but do absolutely nothing to give actual Natives an autonomous image in their own history. 

Native American history is more than the tragedies dealt to indigenous populations. There is a mind-numbing treasure trove of vibrant culture and wisdom to be found within the communities of the original inhabitants of these lands. 

The indigenous peoples of the Americas were writing their own stories long before their colonizers finally felt the guilty compulsion to do it for them. We now must let them be heard. 

Aaron is a sophomore in Media.

[email protected]  

• Contact Us / Submit a Tip
• Print Edition
• Sports Newsletter
• Ethics Code
• Corrections Policy
• Terms of Use
• Illio Yearbook

Home — Essay Samples — History — Trail of Tears — The Cherokee Trail of Tears: A Tragic Chapter in American History

The Cherokee Trail of Tears: a Tragic Chapter in American History

• Categories: American History Trail of Tears

About this sample

Words: 647 |

Published: Mar 16, 2024

Words: 647 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Historical context, events leading to the trail of tears, the journey, long-term consequences.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: History

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1308 words

2 pages / 746 words

2 pages / 792 words

2 pages / 821 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Trail of Tears

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, is often hailed as a hero for his role in expanding democracy and defending the interests of the common man. However, a closer examination of his actions reveals a [...]

The Trail of Tears is a somber chapter in American history, marked by the forced removal of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. This tragic event has left a lasting impact on indigenous communities and [...]

Count Camillo di Cavour, a statesman and a leading figure in the Italian unification, played a crucial role in the process of bringing together the various states of the Italian peninsula into a single unified nation. Cavour’s [...]

The history of relations between the white colonists and Native American tribes in Northern America is full of violent acts of injustice. However, some events can still shock with the unfairness and brutality that the US side [...]

John Enle, who was a sixth generation North Carolinian, grew up in Penland, North Carolina on a land once used as hunting grounds by the Cherokee. He is the author of 14 highly acclaimed works such as The Winter People. The [...]

One of the more impactful means by which the experience of war is recreated for a civilian audience is through the illustration of the human body, with lived experience and relevant literature illustrating war as an entity so [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free