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A Brief Summary Of The Trail Of Tears

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Keara Fender
Dr. Owens
His 121
February 12, 2018
The Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears was a brutal part for the Native Americans. President Andrew Jackson enforced a law called the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This law forced Native Americans along with Slaves to leave their lands and travel West. He removed Cherokee and other groups of Indians so the white settlers could take over their homelands.
Andrew Jackson was born in frontier settlements where Indian attack stories were commonly told. Growing up, his hatred towards Indians grew greatly. He thought of them as children who needed to be guided. He believed moving them westward is for their own good since they would never fit in with the white society. Although, if an Indian woman …show more content…

This followed the refusal of the Seminoles to leave their reservation that had been established for them. The Seminoles had hidden their families in the Everglades and the warriors fought back using guerrilla tactics. As a result of this, Osceola, the tribe leader, was captured while parleying under a flag truce Indians resistance denied. With peace, the Seminoles had agreed to emigrate. During this, in 1839, the Old Treaty Party Leaders attempt to foil reunifiication negotiations between Ross and Sequoyan. Then, the party leaders John Ridge, Major Ridge and Elias Boudinot are …show more content…

Along the walks, the slaves protected their owners and their owner's families. They killed any beasts that came upon their pathway. They also nursed the sick, chopped wood for fire, hunted animals for food and clothing, washed clothes, prepared meals, guarded the camps from any prey, and they hiked ahead to remove any obstacles from the road like a fallen down tree.
People had their own opinions about the slaves. Some were thankful that slaves were brought along. If they were not there, it would have taken them longer, and the death toll could have been exceptionally higher. On the other hand, some people do not care for the slaves for being there. They believe that the Trail of Tears is only for the Indians and no one else. Although it is a documented historical fact, many want to forget any support the slaves.
Even after the emigration of the Indians, it took the United States over 100 years to apologize to the Indians. President Barck Obama said that he apologizes “on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native peoples by citizens of the United States." He called it the Native American Apology

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