The Trail of Tears refers to the forced removal of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma, beginning in 1830. This arduous journey, marked by suffering and death, symbolized the broader policy of Indian removal. Historically significant, it underscores the U.S. government’s oppressive practices towards indigenous peoples and is a poignant example of the consequences of Manifest Destiny. The Trail of Tears remains a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles for Native American rights and recognition in contemporary society.