Question

Why did so many Native Americans die during their forced removal west of the Mississippi River? In protest, Native American leaders refused to eat the food that the army provided for them along the march. Soldiers forced them to march for months without shoes and adequate clothing in freezing bad weather. An epidemic of smallpox broke out during the march west. As Native Americans rebelled against the forced march, soldiers shot them. pick the answer

Answer 1

Many Native Americans died during their forced removal west of the Mississippi River due to a combination of harsh conditions, lack of food and supplies, disease, and violence. Specifically, the soldiers forced them to march for months without adequate clothing and in freezing weather, which contributed to their suffering. Additionally, the outbreak of smallpox during the march further exacerbated the death toll. The refusal of Native American leaders to eat the food provided by the army in protest also played a role, as this meant that many went without adequate nutrition. Overall, the combination of these factors led to significant mortality during the forced removals.