The historical significance of the Trail of Tears in U.S. history lies in its representation of the forced relocation and suffering of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, in the 1830s. Under the Indian Removal Act of 1830, thousands were compelled to leave their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States, resulting in a grueling journey of approximately 1,000 miles. The harsh conditions led to the deaths of nearly a quarter of the Cherokee population. The Trail of Tears symbolizes the broader patterns of displacement and injustice faced by Native Americans, highlighting the painful consequences of U.S. expansion policies.