The Trail of Tears Essay Sample

The Trail of Tears is a topic that I remember learning about and hearing about all through my school. I have always enjoyed learning about Native Americans in history. Before this research, I knew that the Trail of Tears was a very sad time for the Native Americans being forced out of the land that they called home. I remember some of the names mentioned in this lesson, and some of how the United States tried to teach the Indians to become one community. It has been a while since I learned about the topic, so I was excited about getting the chance to revisit the subject. 

I think that it is very interesting that after the American revolution the United States created a policy called civilization. The policy funded missionary organizations to go into the Indian nations, particularly in the south, and teach the Indians how to be Anglo-American. This program taught things like how to grow crops for example wheat and corn. They also taught them how to eat meals at regular times compared to just when they are hungry, and how to dress like an Anglo-American. Thomas Jefferson believed the Indians could become equal to white people. The goal was that if they could live more like white neighbors that they could be the political and social equals of their white neighbors.

The next interesting thing that I learned was that the Cherokee Nation become literate. The Cherokee was the first-ever Native American tribe to publish a newspaper. The first newspaper by Native Americans was called The Cherokee Phoenix. This was the first paper printed in the Native American Language. 

The Cherokee people wanted to have their government. They did accomplish this goal. The Cherokee had an executive branch, judicial branch, and legislative branch. John Ross became the principal chief. 

I think it is very neat that John Ross such a staple in history was born right up the road from me in Rossville Georgia. Ross's focus was to maintain and hold onto the land the Natives had. The state of Georgia passed a law stating that no Cherokee could meet in the state unless they were discussing giving away their land. This caused the Indians to move their capital.

I have enjoyed learning and refreshing my memory on the topic over The Trail of Tears. This topic is very fascinating to me. I believe it is extremely sad that the natives were forced out of the land that they called home and were left with not even land to stand on. When they were forced to leave the lives that were taken along the way is heartbreaking. It is also fascinating to me how smart the Cherokee Indians were. It is very neat to me that the Cherokee were able to not only learn to be literate but were able to publish their newspaper. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the Natives were here first yet forced out of their land. It is also hard to understand why they had to leave. It is fascinating that as I am learning about these places, I have stepped foot in some of the same places the Indians have. I recognize many of the landmarks spoke about while learning about John Ross.