The Trail of Tears
In 1802, Thomas Jefferson made it apparent that he supported the removal of

Indians to Western territories.  By 1830 this became a possibility when President

Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act.  The Five Civilized Tribes were to

move east of the Mississippi River.This brought great opposition from the Cherokee

Indians, who took their case against Georgia to the Supreme Court.  They did not

feel as if the act were constitutional.  Although they won, Jackson and the U.S.

Government continued their removal efforts.  To seal the deal, the Government

convinced 100 Cherokees to sign the Treaty of New Echota in which the Cherokee

gave up all claim to lands east of the Mississippi River.  Those who resisted where

forced to make the journey west on The Trail of Tears.  The journey included

17,000 Cherokees, 4,000 of which died of starvation, exposure, and disease.