The Trail of Tears

Native peoples of the United States have rich histories and traditions that help them maintain varied cultural identities in modern society. In the past, white Americans attempted to hide or eradicate these cultures, seeing Native Americans as an obstacle to prosperity. This distorted view eventually led to the deadly forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears. Primary sources and annotated quotes show readers the Trail of Tears from the perspective of those it affected. A detailed timeline and discussion questions add to this essential reading experience that illustrates many of the struggles Native Americans have experienced, up through to today.