What I learned..
The Trail of Tears was a long time in the making starting with the cultural differences between Americans and Native Americans which developed into a political along with economical motivation to assimilate or remove them from the Deep South. The southern states were very valuable to white settlers for farming cotton and other crops along with building homesteads. The invading settlers were willing to go to great lengths to achieve their goal of obtaining land and squatting. The voice of the people was heard and the United States agreed with the settlers motives for the most part. Presidents Jefferson, Adams, Monroe, and Jackson all took steps to ensure Native American removal.
The Trail of Tears is a very unique situation in history but can be compared to other situations as well. The trans-Atlantic slave trade took a group of people from their homeland and displaced them in a similar way to the Native Americans had been and both groups suffered a great number of casualties as a result. That was followed up by indentured servitude where “freed” slaves were forced to work to pay off debts. Native Americans were similarly bartering for land that they already lived on for their rights to live as they saw fit.
What happened to the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears is not a new story throughout the course of history. The Cherokee were a group of people that lived on land that was valuable and had excellent natural resources which is why another group, the United States, were motivated to remove them at great cost. Similar situations have happened throughout history. The Middle East had previously been fought over for religious reasons but is now fought over for, mainly; it’s oil and energy resources. Canals between continents are also a very valuable resource for trading and have often been fought over. Canals like the Suez and Panama have been fought over in the past too. The fight for control over resources will always exist just like it did between American settlers and Native Americans.
It was interesting to find out how much the fore fathers of the United States of America had agreed upon how the removal of Native Americans was the right action to take considering that many of their ideals shaped how the United States is today. The treatment of the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears was in direct contrast of what the constitution says. Also, former President publicly ridiculed Native Americans in a way that would be unheard of today. While interesting to find out, it is not surprising to find out that these events happened considering Americas history with slavery. The Trail of Tears and the Cherokee’s history is an interesting one that is important in education especially relating to the Deep South.
The Trail of Tears is a very unique situation in history but can be compared to other situations as well. The trans-Atlantic slave trade took a group of people from their homeland and displaced them in a similar way to the Native Americans had been and both groups suffered a great number of casualties as a result. That was followed up by indentured servitude where “freed” slaves were forced to work to pay off debts. Native Americans were similarly bartering for land that they already lived on for their rights to live as they saw fit.
What happened to the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears is not a new story throughout the course of history. The Cherokee were a group of people that lived on land that was valuable and had excellent natural resources which is why another group, the United States, were motivated to remove them at great cost. Similar situations have happened throughout history. The Middle East had previously been fought over for religious reasons but is now fought over for, mainly; it’s oil and energy resources. Canals between continents are also a very valuable resource for trading and have often been fought over. Canals like the Suez and Panama have been fought over in the past too. The fight for control over resources will always exist just like it did between American settlers and Native Americans.
It was interesting to find out how much the fore fathers of the United States of America had agreed upon how the removal of Native Americans was the right action to take considering that many of their ideals shaped how the United States is today. The treatment of the Cherokee along the Trail of Tears was in direct contrast of what the constitution says. Also, former President publicly ridiculed Native Americans in a way that would be unheard of today. While interesting to find out, it is not surprising to find out that these events happened considering Americas history with slavery. The Trail of Tears and the Cherokee’s history is an interesting one that is important in education especially relating to the Deep South.
Connection to NC Standards
The Trail of Tears can relate to North Carolina Social Studies Standards grade 3-5. It also can use to teach geography since several different states were involved and mathematics for teaching miles that the Native American traveled from their homeland to new Indian Territory. This topic is can be used very divisively since it carries the historical facts, political facts, and cultural facts.
Here is the North Carolina Social Studies Standards that can relate to the this topic
3.H.1 Understand how events, individuals and ideas have influenced the history of local and regional communities.
3.H.2 Use historical thinking skills to understand the context of events, people and places.
4.H.1 Analyze the chronology of key historical events in North Carolina history.
4.H.2 Understand how notable structures, symbols and place names are significant to North Carolina.
5.H.1 Analyze the chronology of key events in the United States.
Here is the North Carolina Social Studies Standards that can relate to the this topic
3.H.1 Understand how events, individuals and ideas have influenced the history of local and regional communities.
3.H.2 Use historical thinking skills to understand the context of events, people and places.
4.H.1 Analyze the chronology of key historical events in North Carolina history.
4.H.2 Understand how notable structures, symbols and place names are significant to North Carolina.
5.H.1 Analyze the chronology of key events in the United States.
For a Future Elementary Social Studies Teacher
The Trail of Tears is one of key historical event that happened in North Carolina. I started my project on this topic, because I saw many signs of Cherokee around South and North Carolina and started curious about it. It is important for teachers to know about the Trail of Tears especially if you are teaching in North Carolina. This is also the great topic to introduce diverse culture as social studies teacher. As I was doing this project, I also learned more than just the Trail of Tears such as president of the United States since several presidents was involved in The Indian Removal Act policy. As I mentioned, there are numerous facts and ways for teaching many curriculum with this topic.
Photo
Warren. (2011, March 1). Shadow of the Owl. Retrieved from http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/03/01/the-trail-of-tears-remembered/
NC Standards
State Board of Education (2010, December 2). Public Schools of North Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/3-5.pdf
Warren. (2011, March 1). Shadow of the Owl. Retrieved from http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/03/01/the-trail-of-tears-remembered/
NC Standards
State Board of Education (2010, December 2). Public Schools of North Carolina. Retrieved from http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/new-standards/social-studies/3-5.pdf