What historical event is described by the term "Trail of Tears"?

The term "Trail of Tears" specifically refers to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands, particularly the Cherokee, in the 1830s, as a result of the Indian Removal Act signed by President Andrew Jackson. This tragic event involved the removal of thousands of Native Americans from their lands in the southeastern United States to designated territories west of the Mississippi River, primarily to present-day Oklahoma.

The journey was marked by severe hardship, suffering, and significant loss of life due to disease, exposure, and starvation. The phrase "Trail of Tears" encapsulates the sorrow and devastation experienced by the tribes during this forced migration. Recognizing the scale of the suffering associated with this event is crucial to understanding the impact of U.S. government policies on Native American populations and the long-lasting effects of these actions on Indigenous communities. This historical context illustrates the broader themes of U.S. expansionism and its consequences for Native Americans.