Download
1 / 22
230 likes | 333 Views
Indians Leave Alabama. The True Story of the Trail of Tears. Today you will learn…. the four tribes who were involved in the “Trail of Tears.” the definition of a treaty . the length of years in a century . the Act that caused the Indians to leave their lands and move westward.
E N D
Indians Leave Alabama The True Story of the Trail of Tears
Today you will learn… • the four tribes who were involved in the “Trail of Tears.” • the definition of a treaty. • the length of years in a century. • the Act that caused the Indians to leave their lands and move westward. • the name of the tribe who was the last to leave Alabama. • if the Indians wanted to leave their homeland.
Background Information • Many settlers were moving into Alabama and the nearby states. They saw the best lands were owned by the Indians. Most settlers had family and friends that had been killed by the Indians. The terrible killing of the settlers at Attack on Fort Mims had happened only a few days before. This was not easy to forget.
Indian’s point of view The Indians have lived there for centuries. They did not want to give up their homes. Many Indians had learned to live like settlers. They owned farms and houses. Settler’s point of view Most of the Indian land was used for hunting only. The new settlers could not understand why they could not live on these “empty lands.” More and more settlers wanted the Indians to move farther west so they could settle on the land. Empty Lands?
Government Treaties: Would they save the Indians’ lands? • The Indians had made many treaties with the United States. • Each treaty promised the Indians they would never again have to give up any more land. • But, most of the treaties were broken…
The Indian Removal Act • The United States Congress passed a bill in 1830 that called for the removal of the Indians living in the southeastern part of the United States to western lands. Indian Removal
The chiefs signed treaties to give up all the Indian lands in Alabama. The Indians would move. Their new land would be past the Mississippi River in the Indian Territory(Oklahoma). The Indians were promised they could keep their land until they moved. Indian’s Side of the Agreement
United States Government’sSide of the Agreement • The United States government would move them. • The government was to see that the Indians were paid for their lands.
What went wrong? • Settlers who wanted the Indians’ lands began to move onto the lands before the Indians had to move. • Fights broke out and President Andrew Jackson had to send soldiers into Alabama to keep the settlers out.
Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek • The Choctaw signed this treaty which gave the US all Choctaw land in Mississippi and Alabama. • Many Choctaw moved to present-day Oklahoma. • Some hid in swamps or forests.
The journey begins… • A short time after the Choctaw were moved, the Chickasaw were also forced to sign a treaty. • From 1831-1834 the United States Army moved some Chickasaw and Choctaw to parts of Mississippi. • From there, they had to walk to what is now Oklahoma.
The journey continues… • These two tribes chose to leave peacefully. • While traveling, the Indians did not have enough food to eat or blankets to keep them warm. • Many of them died from cold, starvation, or disease on their journey westward.
Creek Indians get involved • In 1832 all Creek land was given to the United States. • Settlers began to attack the Creek and, in just a few years, almost all Creek were moved to the West.
Cherokee Indians Last to Move • The last group of Indians to be moved were the Cherokee. • Tribal leaders asked the United States government to let them stay, but President Jackson would not agree. • Some Cherokee hid in the mountains, but most were forced to leave.
Creeks and Cherokees • The Creeks and Cherokees chose to fight the soldiers. • The soldiers had to force them to leave. • Brave warriors cried as they touched familiar trees, rocks, and streams for the last time. They were sad to leave their hunting grounds and the graves of their families.
What life was like on the journey… • The government had promised all the Indians a safe, comfortable journey. • The Indians who once lived in warm houses and ate good food were herded along the rough trails. • There were not enough wagons. Old men, women, and children had to walk day after day. • Their shoes wore out, and there were no more shoes. • Families had to sleep on the ground in all kinds of weather.
“Trail of Tears” • The Indians called their walk to the western United States the “trail where they cried.” • We know it today as the “Trail of Tears.”
Positive Effects of the Removal • Many years later, oil was found on their new land. • Many tribes became wealthy because of this discovery.
This historic park is one of the few documented sites of actual trail and campsites used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people to "Indian Territory." It was used as an encampment in 1838 and 1839. This park is the burial site for two Cherokee Chiefs who died during the removal -Fly Smith and Whitepath.
Questions about the “Trail of Tears” • 1. Name four tribes that were involved in the “Trail of Tears.” • 2. What is a treaty? • 3. How long is a century? • 4. What act caused Indians to leave their lands and move westward? • 5. Which tribe was the last to leave Alabama?. • 6. Did the Indians want to leave their homeland?
Individual Assignment • On your paper, write a journal entry describing what your life is like while you travel with your family on “The Trail of Tears.” What do you see/hear? How do you feel? What is it like? Enable your audience to feel as if they are there with you. • When you are finished, draw a picture at the bottom showing us what it is like there. Do your best!
