Economic reasons for the Trail of Tears

What does the term "economics" refer to?

• The study of plants and animals

• The study of wealth, trade, and goods

• The study of geography and landforms

• The study of government and laws

Why was Cherokee land valuable to farmers in Georgia?

• It had a lot of dimonds

• It was close to the Mississippi River

• It was located near Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, which helped with trade

• It had poor soil that no one wanted

How did the Tennessee River help farmers?

• It provided drinking water for their livestock

• It gave them access to more consumers by making trade easier

• It helped them find gold and silver

• It protected their land from being taken

Why did some Americans want to build a railroad through Cherokee land?

• To connect major cities for trade and transportation

• To provide Cherokee people with better travel options

• To keep settlers away from the land

• To preserve the land for Native American use

What was one economic reason for the Indian Removal Act?

• The U.S. wanted to give the Cherokee more land

• The government believed moving the Cherokee would help with economic growth

• The Cherokee wanted to leave to find better farmland

• The U.S. needed help from the Cherokee to build railroads

What did Andrew Jackson mean when he said Cherokee land would be better "studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms embellished with all the improvements"?

• He thought the Cherokee should build the cities themselves

• He wanted to protect Cherokee land from destruction

• He believed cities would bring more economic growth than Native American villages

• He believed the land should remain untouched and natural

What was one reason many Americans supported Cherokee removal that is supported by these documents?

• They wanted to end conflicts with the Cherokee

• They believed it was fair and legal

• They saw economic opportunities in gaining Cherokee land

• They wanted to help the Cherokee find new homes

How did the Trail of Tears impact the Cherokee economically?

• They gained new land with better trade opportunities

• They lost their homes, land, and economic resources

• They became wealthy from selling their land

• They were able to expand their trading network

How did the Indian Removal Act benefit American settlers economically?

• It gave them access to farmland, rivers, and trade routes

• It allowed them to trade with the Cherokee

• It gave them jobs working for the Cherokee

• It helped them learn Cherokee customs