The Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated areas west of the Mississippi River, primarily known as Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). This led to the infamous Trail of Tears, where many tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek, faced extreme hardships, including disease, starvation, and exposure, resulting in the deaths of thousands. The Act effectively dismantled tribal governance and societies, significantly disrupting their cultural practices and economic systems, and resulted in long-lasting social and psychological impacts on Native American communities. Overall, it marked a significant escalation in the United States' policy of westward expansion at the expense of Indigenous peoples.
In three to five sentences, describe the changes that took place to the Native Americans after the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
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