Chapter 11, Student Web Activities, The American Journey, Glencoe, 2005

Chapter 11: The Jackson Era
"The Trail of Tears"

Introduction
In this chapter you have studied about events in America from 1824 to 1845. It was during this time that the Congress and President Jackson formed some of the first official policies toward the treatment of Native Americans. In 1834 the Indian Territory was established and by 1838 the army was forcibly removing Native Americans westward. In this activity you will take a closer look at the journey of the Cherokee people to a reservation in Oklahoma, a journey known as the Trail of Tears.

Destination Title: The Trail of Tears

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
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Directions
Start at the Trail of Tears Web site.

Scroll down and click on the Trail of Tears Timeline, 1838–1839.
Study the events on the time line.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1. What happened in March 1838?

2. When did the Cherokee roundup begin?

3. In December 1838 what did John Ross and the last group of Cherokees take with them?

4. When was the Cherokee constitution adopted?

5. Click back to the main screen and find the painting at the top of the screen. Choose one person in the painting and study him or her carefully. Imagine you are that person. Write a journal entry about how you feel as you make this forced journey away from your home.