The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson in 1830. It aimed to relocate Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to territories west of the Mississippi River. The policy was driven by the desire of white settlers to access land for farming and economic development.

Source A: Excerpt from President Jackson's speech

'It is the policy of the United States to remove the tribes to territories west of the Mississippi, where they can govern themselves without interfering with our expansion.'

Provenance: Speech delivered by President Andrew Jackson, 1830.

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Cherokee and other tribes from their lands in the southeastern US to territories west of the Mississippi River in 1838-1839. Thousands of Native Americans suffered from exposure, disease, and hunger during the journey, resulting in many deaths.

Source B: Diary entry of a Cherokee survivor

'We walked for months, many sick and weak. I saw children and elders fall behind and never catch up. The land we loved was taken from us, and our suffering was immense.'

Provenance: Diary of Sarah Adams, Cherokee survivor, 1839.

The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears had lasting effects. Native Americans lost their lands, faced cultural dislocation, and experienced significant suffering. The policy also paved the way for American expansion and economic development in the west.

Source C: Historian's view

'The removal policy was a tragic chapter that caused immense suffering for Native peoples but also facilitated the growth of the United States.'

Provenance: Historian's analysis, 2000.