In my opinion, the Trail of Tears (the Indian Removal Act) was an entirely unethical decision implemented by the government of the United States. It is insane to think the United States would do such a thing especially with a patriotic history. The Trail of Tears (1838–1839) was an eight hundred mile journey from the southern Appalachians to Indian Territory. Over 17,000 Cherokee had been evicted and 4,000, possibly more, died along the way. This was not only from harsh weather condition, starvation, and disease, but also military treatment along the journey. The conflict between Native Americans and white settlers have been traced all the way back to the first colonization of the European Americans. Multiple factors had come into play after colonizing
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Despite their organization, they could not stop the settlers' push for possession of Cherokee territory, especially when gold was discovered on their lands in Georgia.” (pg.9, Indian Removal & The Trail Of Tears) Unwilling to move, the Natives believed they shouldn’t have to leave their homes since they’ve lived there for many years prior to their arrival. However, through the creation of anti-Indian land-reform policies, the United States felt they had the right to move Native Americans anyways. The goal was to open up the land on the eastside of the Mississippi River by forcing out the five Native American tribes of the east and moving them to the west, where there are drier and unfertile lands. “The Proclamation of 1763 forced colonists to remain east of the Appalachian Mountains, and all land west of this natural barrier was reserved for Native Americans. However, by the 1800's, American cities were growing and the settlers were itching to move westward onto Native American lands.” (pg.2, Indian Removal & The Trail Of Tears) For years the tribes of the Cherokee, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek were bullied around with territory.
Despite their organization, they could not stop the settlers' push for possession of Cherokee territory, especially when gold was discovered on their lands in Georgia.” (pg.9, Indian Removal & The Trail Of Tears) Unwilling to move, the Natives believed they shouldn’t have to leave their homes since they’ve lived there for many years prior to their arrival. However, through the creation of anti-Indian land-reform policies, the United States felt they had the right to move Native Americans anyways. The goal was to open up the land on the eastside of the Mississippi River by forcing out the five Native American tribes of the east and moving them to the west, where there are drier and unfertile lands. “The Proclamation of 1763 forced colonists to remain east of the Appalachian Mountains, and all land west of this natural barrier was reserved for Native Americans. However, by the 1800's, American cities were growing and the settlers were itching to move westward onto Native American lands.” (pg.2, Indian Removal & The Trail Of Tears) For years the tribes of the Cherokee, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Creek were bullied around with territory.