The Trail of Tears: Cherokees Crossing the Mississippi...Settlers, Cheaters, and the U.S. Government
Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Art
Department
American Studies
Abstract
The thesis The Trail of Tears: Cherokees Crossing the Mississippi – Settlers, Cheaters, and the U.S. Government – Native Americans Standing in the Way of Progress by Eva Annette Rolfe examines the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation under the Indian Removal Act of 1830. It explores U.S. policies toward Native Americans from the American Revolution through Andrew Jackson’s presidency, highlighting the legal and political maneuvers that led to the Trail of Tears. The study delves into the Cherokee Nation’s attempts to assimilate, their resistance through legal battles such as Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia, and the deep divisions within the tribe over removal. It describes the suffering endured during the forced march to Indian Territory, including disease, starvation, and exposure. The role of U.S. soldiers, government officials, and white settlers in the removal is critically analyzed, as well as the economic and political motivations behind the policy. The study concludes by questioning whether the removal was an unfortunate consequence of government inefficiency or a deliberate act of ethnic cleansing. By examining primary sources, legislative debates, and contemporary accounts, the thesis presents a detailed and critical perspective on one of the most tragic episodes in American history.
Recommended Citation
Rolfe, Eva Annette, "The Trail of Tears: Cherokees Crossing the Mississippi...Settlers, Cheaters, and the U.S. Government" (2009). Theses. 1290.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1290
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