Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Indian: The Removal Act
At first, the Trail of Tears only described the Cherokee removal of 1838. Later it included the removals of all southeastern Native nations. Take a close look at these primary sources from the Smithsonian which include a reproduction of...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Indian Removal
By reading this section of a chapter on "Jacksonian Democracy," students will be able to explain the legal wrangling that surrounded the Indian Removal Act and describe how depictions of Indians in popular culture helped lead to Indian...
US National Archives
Our Documents:president Jackson's Message to Congress 'On Indian Removal' (1830)
On December 6, 1830, President Jackson spoke to Congress about his position on relocating Indians in order to make way for settlers in the west. This paved the way for government policy in dealing with native peoples even after his...
US National Archives
Our Documents: President Andrew Jackson's Message, 'On Indian Removal'
Interactive image of the original document through which President Andrew Jackson called for "Indian Removal," in 1830. Includes transcription as well as background and overview of the text and results of the Indian Removal policy.
Digital History
Digital History: Indian Removal
The Indian Removal policy was inhumane and without empathy for the Native Americans who were forced from their lands. Read about the attempts to enforce federal treaties and the final removal of three major tribes from the Southeast.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Excerpt From Trail of Tears Diary" by Jobe Alexander & Mary Hill
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Cherokee Removal and the Trail of Tears
The sources in this primary set uses documents, images, and music to reveal the story of Cherokee removal, which is part of a larger story known as the Trail of Tears. Includes teaching guide.
Lin and Don Donn
Mrdonn.org: Daily Life in Olden Times: Southeast Cherokee Indians
Lesson and resources on the history of the Cherokee Indian tribe.
Other
Cherokee Messenger: Brief History of the Trail of Tears
This website gives details about the events that led up to the displacement of the Cherokee Indians and the "Trail of Tears."
A&E Television
History.com: Native American History Timeline
Before Christopher Columbus came to America, the expansive territory was inhabited by Native Americans. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, as more explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various...
PBS
Pbs: Virtual Field Trip: Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation virtual field trip affords an in-depth look at the lives of the Cherokee Indians, from their first encounters with Europeans to events, such as the Gold Rush and the signing of the Indian Removal Act by Andrew...
Other
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma: Government Throughout the Years
A wealth of information on the evolution of the Choctaw Nation's government from pre-removal to post-removal to having its own tribal Constitution. Copies of the numerous treaties the Choctaw made with the European settlers' government...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Andrew Jackson: Domestic Affairs
A comprehensive overview of the domestic issues facing Andrew Jackson in his presidency, from the "spoils system" to veto of the bank recharter to his Indian removal policy.
Volunteer Voices
Volunteer Voices: On the Trail of Tears [Pdf]
For this lesson, students work with primary source documents to recapture the experience of traveling on the Trail of Tears.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Cherokee Removal
Reveals the story behind the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia to Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: Indian Wars and Battle of Little Bighorn
Discusses the series of events and conflicts in the Indian Wars that culminated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, or Custer's Last Stand. Includes questions for students at end.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Trail of Tears
This site from Wikipedia provides a description of the Trail of Tears. Also given is some background information that led to the removal of the Cherokees from northern Georgia as well as information on the actual removal process.
Tennessee History For Kids
Tennessee History for Kids: Steamboats and the Trail of Tears
This website provides information about the roles of steamboats and the Trail of Tears in Tennessee history.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Trail of Tears
The article provides facts and information about the tragic journey of the Cherokee tribe and other members of the Five Civilised Tribes called the "Trail of Tears" with key dates and a map.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Trail of Tears
Use this site to learn more about the Cherokee's journey from their home and why it's called the Trail of Tears.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Native American Removal
[Free Registration/Login Required] Using Activotes, students are assessed on their knowledge of the Native Americans' removal.
Other
Crystalinks: Trail of Tears
Detailed information on the Trail of Tears which refers to the forced relocation of the Cherokee Native American tribe to the Western United States in 1838-39. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of an estimated 4,000 Cherokee...
Other
American Indian Civics Project: 19th Century Indian Relations
This article provides an overview of Indian relations within the United States during the 19th century.