1. The Trail of Tears
I fought through the War Between the States and have seen many men shot, but the Cherokee Removal was the cruelest work I ever knew.”—- Georgia soldier who participated in the removal Reflection: Composition Book

2. Indian Removal Act 1830
Act Authorized the President to remove Native Americans in the South to land west of the Mississippi River.
The Removal Act was strongly supported in the South (Why? What do they want?)
The Indian Removal Act was also very controversial.
Great pressure was put on Native American leaders to sign removal treaties.

3. Not All agreed
Many Christian missionaries protested against passage of the Act.
In Congress, New Jersey Senator Theodore Frelinghuysen and Congressman David Crockett of Tennessee spoke out against the legislation.
The Removal Act was passed after bitter debate in Congress.

4. Trail of Tears Refers to removal of the Cherokee 1838-39
4000 of 13,000 die
Some travelled by a land route
Some travel by water

6. Results Some 46,000 Native Americans relocated
Opened 25 million acres to white settlement and slavery
On Cherokee Trail of Tears 4000 of the 15,000 relocated die.