President Jackson (1829–1837) and the Trail of Tears (1831-1838)

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from Free Presidents Lapbook from Homeschool Share

Andrew Jackson (7th President, 1829–1837)

Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians (1814), and the British at the Battle of New Orleans (1815). As president, he destroyed the national bank and relocated most Indian tribes from the Southeast to west of the Mississippi River. His enthusiastic followers created the modern Democratic Party. Jackson was nicknamed "Old Hickory" because of his toughness and aggressive personality.

map from Interactive 3-D Maps: American History

The Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears is a name given to the forced relocation and movement of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. In 1831 the Choctaw were the first to be removed, and they became the model for all other removals. After the Choctaw, the Seminole were removed in 1832, the Creek in 1834, then the Chickasaw in 1837, and finally the Cherokee in 1838.  Many suffered from exposure, disease and starvation en route to their destinations.

We read books...

and completed maps...

map from Interactive 3-D Maps: American History

and located the tribes mentioned.

If you live near Georgia, you might consider a field trip to New Echota Historic Site.

"New Echota is one of the most significant Cherokee Indian sites in the nation and was where the tragic “Trail of Tears” officially began."