Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears was a series of forced relocations of Native American tribes from the southeastern United States, initiated by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 under President Andrew Jackson. This led to the displacement of approximately 60,000 Native Americans, including the Choctaw, Seminoles, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Cherokee, resulting in significant loss of life due to harsh conditions. The relocations opened up 25 million acres for European settlers, despite public awareness of the injustice. The events were driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism.

What was the primary purpose of the Indian Removal Act of 1830?

• To establish new trade routes

• To relocate European settlers

• To remove Native Americans from their lands

• To create new states

Which tribe was the first to be removed under the Indian Removal Act?

• Seminoles

• Cherokee

• Creeks

• Choctaw

Approximately how many Native Americans and black slaves were forced to relocate?

• 100,000

• 10,000

• 60,000

• 30,000

What was the estimated number of Cherokee deaths during their forced migration?

• 20,000

• 2,000 to 8,000

• 400

• 10,000

What was the average distance the Cherokee were forced to march each day?

• 5 miles

• 10 miles

• 20 miles

• 15 miles

By 1837, how many Native Americans had been removed from their homelands?

• 60,000

• 16,000

• 30,000

• 46,000

What was the total area opened up for resettlement after the relocations?

• 25 million acres

• 15 million acres

• 10 million acres

• 20 million acres

What belief justified the actions of the U.S. government during the Trail of Tears?

• Federalism

• Manifest Destiny

• Isolationism

• Monroe Doctrine

What was the public's general reaction to the Trail of Tears at the time?

• Widespread protests

• Indifference in the name of progress

• Support for Native American rights

• Complete ignorance

Which concept was used to justify the expansion and land ownership during the Trail of Tears?

• Isolationism

• Monroe Doctrine

• Federalism

• American Exceptionalism