Trail of Tears: Difference between revisions

In 1830, the United States Congress passed the [[American Indian Removal Records|Indian Removal Act]] of 1830". The removal (sometimes referred to as ethnic cleansing) was intended to move Native Americans of the [[Creek Indians|Creeks]], (Muscogees) [[Chickasaw Indians|Chickasaws]], [[Cherokee Indians|Cherokees]], [[Seminole Indians|Seminoles]], and [[Choctaw Indians|Choctaw]] nations from their communally owned tribal homelands in the South Eastern United States to areas that had been designated as Indian Territory in what is now eastern Oklahoma. Other smaller bands of Indians were also moved along with both Jewish and Christian Americans of European descent, slaves, and African American freedmen. Native Americans and freedmen who owned private, individually owned lands were not subject to the Removal Act. There are [[American Indian Removal Records|records]]&nbsp; of the removal but it is not known exactly how many individuals died on their way to Oklahoma.<br>  

In 1987, over 2100 miles of the original trails were named the "Trail of Tears National Historic Trail" by Federal Law. The trail crosses rivers, waterways and portions of nine states. Native Americans were marched through Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Efforts have been made to gather and record information about [[American Indian Genealogy|American Indian Genealogy]] for those who are studying their heritage. <br>  

[[Category:Oklahoma]] [[Category:Indians_of_North_America]] [[Category:Indians_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:Migration_Routes]]