Trail of Tears Explained: Why It Happened and Why It Still Matters

If you’ve ever heard of the Trail of Tears, you probably know the broad strokes: Native American tribes, mostly the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole, were forced out of their homelands in the Southeastern United States and made to march thousands of miles to what is now Oklahoma. Along the way, thousands died from starvation, disease, exhaustion, and exposure.

But history isn’t just about numbers and dates—it’s about people, decisions, and the stories we tell ourselves to justify what happened.

The Trail of Tears is often told as a simple story of good versus evil, but reality is always more complicated. This event was shaped by government policies, economic ambitions, cultural misunderstandings, and even divisions within the Native American tribes themselves.

If you’re a parent looking to teach your kids the unbiased version of history, it’s important to ask not just what happened, but why it happened and how different people saw it at the time.

How Did We Get Here? The Push to Remove Native Americans

By the early 1800s, Native American tribes were not just scattered groups of hunters and warriors. Many had governments, economies, written languages, schools, and even newspapers. The Cherokee Nation, for example, had a constitution modeled after the U.S. Constitution, and its people lived in villages and towns, farmed their land, and engaged in trade.

But white settlers, especially in the South, wanted that land for farming, for settlement, and most of all, for cotton. The land was fertile and valuable, and after gold was discovered in Georgia in 1829, the demand for Native lands only intensified.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830

Enter Andrew Jackson, the hero of the War of 1812, the man who saw himself as a champion of the “common man.” But his idea of “the people” didn’t include Native Americans. He believed Native tribes could never truly integrate into American society and that their best option was to move west, away from white settlers.

In 1830, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, a law that gave the U.S. government the power to “negotiate” land exchanges with Native tribes—but in reality, it often came down to coercion or outright force.

Some tribes went willingly, believing relocation was inevitable and hoping to negotiate the best terms. Others, like the Cherokee, fought back through the courts.

A Legal Battle Lost: The Cherokee Fight Back

The Cherokee Nation took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in Worcester v. Georgia (1832), they won. The court ruled that Georgia had no right to force the Cherokee off their land.

But here’s where things get murky. President Jackson didn’t technically “ignore” the ruling—instead, he failed to enforce it, knowing that neither Congress nor state governments would back it. His alleged quote, “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it,” sums up the situation (though historians debate whether he actually said this).

With no real way to enforce their legal victory, the Cherokee were left vulnerable.

The Treaty That Divided the Cherokee

While most Cherokee refused to leave, a small group of Cherokee leaders—including Major Ridge, John Ridge, and Elias Boudinot—signed the Treaty of New Echota (1835), agreeing to relocate in exchange for money.

But here’s the thing: they didn’t represent the majority of the Cherokee Nation. Chief John Ross and most Cherokee people rejected the treaty, calling it fraudulent. Ross even gathered 16,000 signatures to protest it, but Congress ratified the treaty anyway.

This moment split the Cherokee Nation. Years later, Ridge, Boudinot, and others who signed the treaty were assassinated by fellow Cherokee who viewed them as traitors.

The Trail of Tears: A Journey of Suffering

By 1838, the U.S. government lost patience. President Martin Van Buren (Jackson’s successor) sent 7,000 U.S. troops to forcibly remove the Cherokee, rounding them up into detention camps before forcing them to march over 1,000 miles westward.

The Horrors of the Trail

📍 Harsh Weather: Many Cherokee were forced to march in freezing winter conditions, with little clothing or shelter.

🥖 Starvation: The food provided was often rotten or completely inadequate, leading to severe malnutrition.

💀 Disease: Dysentery, typhoid, pneumonia, and cholera spread rapidly due to unsanitary conditions.

⏳ Exhaustion & Abuse: Some Cherokee were beaten or shot if they couldn’t keep up.

By the time they reached Oklahoma, at least 4,000 Cherokee had died—a quarter of their entire population.

And they weren’t alone. The Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole also endured forced removals, with thousands more deaths. The Choctaw described it as a “trail of tears and death.”

How Did the U.S. Government Justify It?

At the time, the U.S. government and many white settlers didn’t see this as an act of cruelty. They had their own version of the story:

🔹 Jackson framed removal as “saving” Native Americans from destruction by white settlers. He believed the tribes would either be forced into extinction or need a place to live safely.

🔹 White settlers believed they were “civilizing” the land, following their belief in Manifest Destiny—the idea that it was America’s divine right to expand westward.

🔹 Some Americans opposed removal, including missionaries and politicians like Davy Crockett, who called it a “wicked and unjust” policy. But opposition wasn’t strong enough to stop it.

Resistance and Survival: The Other Side of the Story

The Trail of Tears wasn’t just about suffering—it was also about resistance and survival.

🔥 The Seminole in Florida refused to leave, waging the Second Seminole War (1835–1842)—one of the longest and costliest wars in U.S. history. Some never surrendered and still live in Florida today.

🏛 The Cherokee rebuilt in Oklahoma, forming a new government and adapting to their new reality.

🔗 Native Americans today still fight for their rights, working to reclaim lost land, preserve their languages, and ensure their history is told truthfully.

Why Does This Matter Today?

History isn’t just about the past—it shapes how we see the world today. The Trail of Tears is more than a tragedy; it’s a lesson in power, justice, and resilience.

When we teach kids about it, we should go beyond “this was bad” and ask deeper questions:

🔎 Why did so many Americans believe this was the right thing to do?
💭 Could there have been another way?
🌎 What does this teach us about how governments treat minority groups today?

The Trail of Tears is a painful story, but it’s also a story of survival. Native Americans are still here, still fighting for their rights, and still shaping the future. And that’s a history worth knowing.

Age-by-Age Learning Recommendations on the Trail of Tears

🌱 Ages 5-8: Introducing the Basics (Picture Books & Gentle Storytelling)

At this stage, kids are just beginning to grasp historical events. Stories with strong characters and emotional narratives work best.

📚 Books:

1. 📖 “Trail of Tears” by Joseph Bruchac – A beautifully illustrated, simple retelling of the Cherokee removal from a Native American perspective.
2. 📖 “Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears” by Cornelia Cornelissen – A historical fiction story about a young Cherokee girl and her family’s forced journey west.

🎥 Videos & Short Films:

💬 Talking Points for Parents:

• What does it mean to move somewhere when you don’t want to?
• How do you think the Cherokee felt when they were told they had to leave?
• What would you take with you if you had to leave home suddenly?

🌿 Ages 9-12: Deeper Understanding with More Details

At this age, kids can handle more historical context and explore the legal, political, and moral issues surrounding the Trail of Tears.

📚 Books:

1. 📖 “The Trail of Tears” by Michael Burgan (Graphic Novel) – A great choice for visual learners, offering an engaging, illustrated history.
2. 📖 “Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and the Trail of Tears” by Alex Bealer – A well-researched book written for middle-grade readers.
3. 📖 “Indian No More” by Charlene Willing McManis – A historical fiction novel about a young girl dealing with the consequences of Native American displacement.

🎥 Videos & Documentaries:

• “We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears” (PBS) – A kid-friendly documentary segment explaining Native American resistance and survival.

💬 Discussion Questions:

• Do you think the U.S. government had the right to remove Native Americans? Why or why not?
• How would you feel if your family had to move somewhere far away with no choice?
• What do you think Native American tribes did after they arrived in Oklahoma?

🌳 Ages 13-18: Exploring Complexity, Resistance, and Modern Impact

Teens can start debating ethics, understanding political motivations, and exploring resistance movements. This is a great time to introduce multiple perspectives.

📚 Books:

1. 📖 “Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation” by John Ehle – A detailed, gripping account of Cherokee history and the removal process.
2. 📖 “Native American History for Kids: With 21 Activities” by Karen Bush Gibson – A fantastic hands-on book with interactive projects.

🎥 Documentaries & Podcasts:

• PBS “We Shall Remain” (Full Series) – Explores Native American history beyond just the Trail of Tears, including resistance movements.
• Stuff You Missed in History Class Podcast: “The Trail of Tears” – A teen-friendly audio deep dive.

💬 Debate & Discussion Questions:

• Was Andrew Jackson’s argument for Indian removal justified in any way?
• What do you think about the Native leaders who signed the Treaty of New Echota? Were they traitors or just trying to protect their people?
• How does the Trail of Tears still impact Native American communities today?

🌿 Adults (Parents, Teachers & History Enthusiasts)

For adults, books and documentaries should challenge common narratives, introduce legal and political history, and explore how Native Americans have rebuilt since the removal.

📚 Books:

1. 📖 “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” by Dee Brown – A powerful, heartbreaking account of Native American history, including the Trail of Tears.
2. 📖 “The Cherokee Nation and the Trail of Tears” by Theda Perdue & Michael D. Green – A balanced, well-researched book that explores both Cherokee resistance and the political decisions behind removal.
3. 📖 “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz – A critical, eye-opening perspective on how U.S. policies shaped Native history.
4. 📖 “Jacksonland: President Andrew Jackson, Cherokee Chief John Ross, and a Great American Land Grab” by Steve Inskeep – A fascinating book that humanizes both sides, showing how political ambitions and Native resistance collided.

🎥 Documentaries & Films:

• PBS: “We Shall Remain” (Full Series) – Essential viewing for anyone interested in Native American history.
• Ken Burns’ “The West” (PBS) – Explores westward expansion and its impact on Native Americans.
• “Trail of Tears: Cherokee Legacy” (2006) – A detailed documentary featuring Cherokee voices.

💬 Critical Thinking Questions for Parents & Teachers:

• How do textbooks portray Andrew Jackson? Is he treated too positively or too negatively?
• How does Native American resistance change the narrative of the Trail of Tears?
• What modern parallels can we draw between Native American removal and current political issues?

Final Thoughts: Teaching History That’s Honest & Thoughtful

History isn’t about memorizing dates—it’s about understanding human choices, power struggles, and resilience. The Trail of Tears was an injustice, but it was also a story of survival.

For parents, the goal isn’t to make kids feel guilty about history—it’s to help them ask better questions:

✅ Why do people make decisions that seem wrong in hindsight?
✅ How can we learn from the past to make better choices today?
✅ What can we do to honor Native American history and culture today?