The Trails of The Native Americans

Transcription

1 The Trails of The Native Americans Molly Lynn Landel Dallas Samantha Anne Maxwell Sumasri Sai Kolamala Erin Ashley Jones Thurgood Marshall 5 th Grade

2 The Indian Removal Act The Indian Removal Act was a huge historical event! It all started with President Andrew Jackson who, in 1830, wanted to move all of the Native Americans out of their land. He tricked some of the Native Americans on thinking that the paperwork was a peace treaty because it was in a different language than what they spoke. When they found out that they actually had to move, none of them were glad or excited. They thought that it was an awful idea. Some of the tribes had to move to forts in Oklahoma. Others were spread out in other forts across the United States.For example, the Navajo Native Americans went to Fort Sumner in New Mexico. Thousands of people died in these walks to their new home. They died of many things such as illnesses and we can never get those lives back. The Indian Removal Act was a very important part of history but, we feel that Andrew w Jackson made a poor decision to start the whole mess.

3 Where The Cherokee Started It was in 1830 when what is now known as Georgia and the government told the Cherokees to move to Oklahoma. The Cherokees didn t t want to move so they took their case to court. The court said that the state had no right to enact the laws on the Cherokee. Only the federal government could do that and they could only do it with a treaty. The Cherokee s s chief, John Ross, demanded 5 million dollars for part of their nation along with the rights to vote, to be a citizen, to hold political office, and to testify in court. Of course the government didn't want this. Then the Cherokee demanded 20 million dollars for their complete voluntary removal to Oklahoma. The government said no again. One day solders invaded the Cherokee and put them in filth ridden forts. The loss of life was high for the parties that went west. More than 4 thousand people died the first time Ross led them. Ross went back to the government and the government paid him to lead other Cherokee to the Indian territory. The second time the loss of life went down. The Trail of Tears was over 800 miles long and they walked the whole journey.

4 The Middle of The Trail of Tears During the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee got diseases from the cold and most of the people with the disease died because little medication was given to them. Some of the Cherokee died from starvation because food as scarce. In the winter, some of the Cherokee got frostbite or froze to death. Still thousands of them survived The Trail of Tears.

5 Where They Ended Up After walking many months and 800 miles. They got to the Indian territory, which is now present day Oklahoma, and over 4,000 had died. They stayed Indian territory the rest of their lives.

6 Before the Longwalk The Dine, or Navajo, were happy, free, peaceful people. They lived near Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Their main food was corn, and the main livestock was sheep. In 1851, American settlers wanted more land, and built Fort Defiance 30 miles southeast of Canyon de Chelly. In 1960, 1000 warriors planed an attack on Fort Defiance. There were fights and raids between the Navajos and settlers. Finally, in 1861, a peace agreement was signed and the people shared the land. Later on when the Navajos declared that they thought a settler was cheating in a horse race, the peace agreement was forgotten and battles began once again. The Navajos were forced to stay in Fort Defiance for a while then journey to Fort Sumner.

7 During the Longwalk After staying in Fort Defiance, roughly 8-8 9,000 Navajo began the long voyage to Fort Sumner. It was a hard journey. While walking about 300 miles, about 200 Navajo died due to cold and starvation. Many more people passed away after arriving at their destination, Fort Sumner.

8 After The Longwalk After the Longwalk ended and the around 8,000 Navajo reached Fort Sumner, they lived pitifully. They always were cold and many starved because the land was not as fertile as the Navajoland.. The Navajo lost about 25% of its people. After 4 years of imprisonment though, they received word that they could go back to their homeland.

9 References Armstrong, Nancy. Navajo Long Walk.. New York: Scholastic, Horizons. United States History: Beginnings. New York: Harcourt, Cherokee Messenger The Cherokee Cultural Society of Houston. ory The Long Walk The Viewzone.