The Trail of Tears holds significant historical importance in U.S. history as it represents the forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands. In the 1830s, the U.S. government implemented the Indian Removal Act, leading to the displacement of thousands of Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw nations. The forced marches to designated "Indian Territory" in present-day Oklahoma were marked by suffering, disease, and death. Estimates suggest that thousands perished during the journey. The Trail of Tears symbolizes the broader themes of injustice, racism, and the impact of U.S. expansionism on Indigenous cultures, serving as a powerful reminder of these historical injustices.