 Home Index Freedom Documents Constitution In-Depth About Us Contact Us Education Site Map Links Archives E-Mail The History of America 
Chapter VII - The Trail of Tears
The Trail of Tears
In the South, the usually peaceful Cherokees attempted to resist the appropriation of their tribal lands in Georgia through legal action. In the case of the Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia, the supreme Court ruled that the Indians had an "unquestionable right to their lands until they wished to cede them to the United Stales." Furthermore, the Court ruled that Georgia laws restricting the Cherokees were unconstitutional. In response to this ruling, the belligerent Jackson bluntly exclaimed about Chief Justice John Marshall, "He has made his decision, now let him enforce it!" With little or no cooperation from half-hearted law enforcement agencies, the supreme Court ruling became ineffectual. In 1835 the once-proud Cherokees gave up their sacred lands in the Southwest in exchange for territory west of Arkansas, $5 million from the federal government and expenses for transportation.
Fifteen thousand displaced, humiliated Cherokees began their long journey at bayonet point down the "trail of tears," a grueling one thousand-mile trek during which they were subjected to the cruelty and neglect of soldiers and settlers as well as the ravages of starvation and disease. Four thousand Cherokees died on the way to the "promised land." Jackson felt absolutely no remorse for the unnecessary suffering and numerous deaths of the Cherokees. After retiring from office, he proudly wrote that his Indian policy had been a "major achievement," adding, "I feel the conscience of having done my duty to my red children."
|