Name:
Date:
Trail of Tears Timeline
Directions: Use the information in the timeline to answer the questions below.
Summary:
In 1830 Congress, passed the Indian Removal Act which gave the federal government the power to relocate any
Native Americans residing east of the Mississippi River, to land in the west, now Oklahoma state. The
relocation included Indians from the Cherokee, Seminole, Choctaw, Creek, and Chickasaw tribes.
Date
Event
Feb/Mar/Apr
1838
Indian nations and American citizens alike petition congress, protesting the Indian Removal
Act.
April, 1838
Congress tables petitions protesting the removal and federal troops prepare for the Indian
roundup in what is now the Southeast United States.
May, 1838
Cherokee roundup begins. Southeast suffers worst drought in recorded history.
June, 1838
Cherokee Indians are ushered from their homes under military supervision. Further removal
aborted because of drought.
August, 1838
John Ross becomes leader of the removal for Cherokee Indians. Described as the “Moses”
of his people, Ross led the Cherokees through the relocation to Oklahoma.
Sept, 1838
Drought breaks in Southeast and Cherokee prepare to embark on forced relocation to Indian
Territory in Oklahoma.
October, 1838
December 1838
For most Cherokee, the "Trail of Tears" begins.
John Ross leaves Cherokee homeland with last group. 5,000 Cherokees trapped east of the
Mississippi by harsh winter, many die.
January, 1939
First overland Indian groups arrive at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
March, 1939
Last group headed by Ross, reaches Oklahoma. More than 3,000 Cherokee die on Trail of
Tears, 1,600 in stockades and about the same number en route. 800 more die in Oklahoma
in 1839.
April, 1939
Cherokees build houses, clear land, plant and begin to rebuild their nation.
May, 1939
Western Cherokee invite new arrivals to meet to establish a united Cherokee government.
July, 1939
Cherokee Act of Union brings together the eastern and western Cherokee Nations.
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Date
September, 1939
Event
Cherokee constitution adopted on September 6, 1839. Tahlequah established as capital of
the Cherokee Nation.
1.
What region of the United States did the Trail of Tears take place?
2.
Who was the Cherokee Indian leader during the relocation?
3.
What present day state did the Trail of Tears end?
4.
What congressional act was passed by that initiated the Trail of Tears?
5.
How many years passed during the Trail of Tears? (round up)
Copyright © EducatorWorksheets.com
Name:
Date:
Trail of Tears Timeline
Directions: Use the information in the timeline to answer the questions below.
Summary:
In 1830 Congress, passed the Indian Removal Act which gave the federal government the power to relocate any
Native Americans residing east of the Mississippi River, to land in the west, now Oklahoma state. The
relocation included Indians from the Cherokee, Seminole, Choctaw, Creek, and Chickasaw tribes.
Date
Event
Feb/Mar/Apr
1838
Indian nations and American citizens alike petition congress, protesting the Indian Removal
Act.
April, 1838
Congress tables petitions protesting the removal and federal troops prepare for the Indian
roundup in what is now the Southeast United States.
May, 1838
Cherokee roundup begins. Southeast suffers worst drought in recorded history.
June, 1838
Cherokee Indians are ushered from their homes under military supervision. Further removal
aborted because of drought.
August, 1838
John Ross becomes leader of the removal for Cherokee Indians. Described as the “Moses”
of his people, Ross led the Cherokees through the relocation to Oklahoma.
Sept, 1838
Drought breaks in Southeast and Cherokee prepare to embark on forced relocation to Indian
Territory in Oklahoma.
October, 1838
December 1838
For most Cherokee, the "Trail of Tears" begins.
John Ross leaves Cherokee homeland with last group. 5,000 Cherokees trapped east of the
Mississippi by harsh winter, many die.
January, 1939
First overland Indian groups arrive at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
March, 1939
Last group headed by Ross, reaches Oklahoma. More than 3,000 Cherokee die on Trail of
Tears, 1,600 in stockades and about the same number en route. 800 more die in Oklahoma
in 1839.
April, 1939
Cherokees build houses, clear land, plant and begin to rebuild their nation.
May, 1939
Western Cherokee invite new arrivals to meet to establish a united Cherokee government.
Copyright © EducatorWorksheets.com
July, 1939
Cherokee Act of Union brings together the eastern and western Cherokee Nations.
Date
September, 1939
Event
Cherokee constitution adopted on September 6, 1839. Tahlequah established as capital of
the Cherokee Nation.
1.
What region of the United States did the Trail of Tears take place?
Southeast
2.
Who was the Cherokee Indian leader during the relocation?
John Ross
3.
What present day state did the Trail of Tears end?
Oklahoma
4.
What congressional act was passed by that initiated the Trail of Tears?
5.
How many years passed during the Trail of Tears? (round up)
Copyright © EducatorWorksheets.com
Indian Removal Act
Two Years