Why did this incident become known as the trail of tears?

Answer 1

The Native Americans were driven barefoot through rain, snow and other harsh weather conditions. They were NOT allowed to gather much of their possessions, if they were allowed any, before the FORCED march.

Also they were brutally abused by the militia soldiers though the commander of the army ordered them to help the weak & sick (at least he did something right), but of course none of them listened nor helped the Indians. They call it the Trail of Tears because of how many Indians died. (over 4000) tell us why it is called that

Answer 2

It is said that those who witnessed the Native American prisoners forcibly relocated at gunpoint were saddened by what they saw. They did nothing to intervene; but, according to legend - they cried.

Since thousands died and neglect of prisoner injury and illness was present in this dishonorable action of the US Army, it most certainly meets the definition of a DEATH MARCH. We could call it the "Oklahoma Death March". But that is not accurate because Oklahoma didn't exist at that time. We could call it the "US Army Death March" but people might confuse it with the more well known Bataan Death March (isn't it funny how it's different when those dirty, rotten foreigners do it to us). How about "North Carolina White Trash and Rednecks After Gold Death March? No, too wordy - it'll never catch on. Same with "Five Civilized Tribes Death March". It has to be short and simple for the idiots to remember it, maybe something that rhymes. "Andrew Jackson's Death March" is pretty accurate, but that doesn't rhyme. I'm out of ideas, maybe somebody else will weigh in.

Answer 3

Since thousands died and neglect of prisoner injury and illness was present in this dishonorable action of the US Army, it most certainly meets the definition of a DEATH MARCH. We could call it the "Oklahoma Death March". But that is not accurate because Oklahoma didn't exist at that time. We could call it the "US Army Death March" but people might confuse it with the more well known Bataan Death March (isn't it funny how it's different when those dirty, rotten foreigners do it to us). How about "North Carolina White Trash and Rednecks After Gold Death March? No, too wordy - it'll never catch on. Same with "Five Civilized Tribes Death March". It has to be short and simple for the idiots to remember it, maybe something that rhymes. "Andrew Jackson's Death March" is pretty accurate, but that doesn't rhyme. I'm out of ideas, maybe somebody else will weigh in.

Answer 4

Unless I am mistaken, the trail of tears was the trail that the US Army forced the Native Americans to take when they were moving them to Oklahoma from the East Coast area.

Answer 5

well i looked all over the web and it says it is still called the trial of tears.