A Primary Source Investigation of the Trail of Tears

The story of the Cherokee Nation and its tragic displacement by early colonial settlers is an integral part of American history. Here that tale is told through an investigation of primary sources related to the historic episode. Images and textual transcriptions are presented of such historical documents as presidential addresses, treaties, and the Cherokee constitution. Such examination of primary sources and their use in the narration of this all-too-often overlooked piece of history is in line with the skills outlined in the Common Core standards for reading informational text.