Evaluate the following excerpt from a private in the US Army that was a part of the forced departure of the Cherokee from Georgia to present-day Oklahoma.. "On the morning of November 17th, we encountered a terrific sleet and snow storm with freezing temperatures, and from that day until we reached the end of the fateful journey on March the 27th, 1839, the sufferings of the Cherokee were awful. The trail of the exiles was a trail of death."

Question

—Memoirs of Private John G. Burnett, December 1890
Based on this passage, why was the forced removal of the Cherokee known as the "Trail of Tears"? Please be sure to use RACES to construct your response in your own words. (Restate, Answer, Cite/Example, Explain, Summarize)

If image not present, click to view question... Also, remember that your response must be at least 4-5 sentences in length....
Remember to:

Restate the question in your opening sentence IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Answer by explaining what the Trail of Tears was about…
Cite/provide evidence from your learning to explain who was involved in the Trail of Tears & why (no notes, internet, etc)
Explain why this event impacted the people involved....
Summarize by restating your main idea from your topic sentence…

Answer 1

The term "Trail of Tears" refers to the devastating forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in Georgia to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. This excerpt from Private John G. Burnett illustrates the severe conditions faced by the Cherokee during this journey, where they encountered extreme weather and suffering. Burnett describes the horrific "sufferings of the Cherokee" and the "trail of death," emphasizing the physical and emotional toll this forced march took on the Cherokee people. This event was part of a larger policy of Indian removal implemented by the U.S. government under the guise of westward expansion, which involved multiple Native American tribes, including the Cherokee.

The impact of the Trail of Tears was profound and tragic, as thousands of Cherokee lost their lives due to starvation, disease, and exposure along theway. The removal shattered families, disrupted their communities, and caused a deep sense of loss and trauma that affected generations. Ultimately, the "Trail of Tears" stands as a stark reminder of the brutal policies against Native Americans, highlighting the immense suffering endured during this dark chapter in American history, and underscores how these events forever altered their way of life.