Forced Relocation

Definition

The act of forcibly moving people from one place to another against their will. In the context of westward expansion, forced relocation refers to the government's policy of forcibly moving Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to designated reservations.

Related terms

Indian Removal Act: A law passed by Congress in 1830 that authorized the removal of Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears: Refers specifically to the forced relocation and resettlement of Cherokee Nation in 1838-1839, resulting in thousands of deaths due to exposure, disease, and starvation during their journey.

Andrew Jackson: The seventh President of the United States who supported and implemented policies such as the Indian Removal Act, which led to forced relocations.