Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Name
Date
Indian Removal Act Webquest
Imagine being forced to leave your home when you have done nothing wrong. This is
exactly what happened to American Indians after Congress passed the Indian
Removal Act in 1830. The purpose of this WebQuest is to examine policy known as
Indian Removal as well as the event that has come to be known as The Trail of
Tears.
The Indian Removal Act was signed
into law by President Andrew Jackson
on May 28, 1830. The act authorized
him to negotiate with the Native
Americans in the Southern United States
for their removal to federal territory west
of the Mississippi River in exchange for
their homelands.
The act was strongly supported in the
South, where people were eager to gain
access to lands inhabited by the Five
Civilized Tribes. Christian missionaries
and future U.S. President Abraham
Lincoln opposed the Indian Removal
Act.
The Five Civilized Tribes were well established as independent nations in the southeastern
United States. Thomas Jefferson's policy had been to respect the Native Americans' rights to
their homelands. Effectively, all Native Americans who had adopted a civilized behavior could
remain east of the Mississippi. However, Andrew Jackson sought to renew a policy of political
and military action for the removal of the Native Americans from these lands.
In this WebQuest, you will become a Native American Indian who is forced to relocate to the
Oklahoma territory when President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act in
1830. Travel Alongside other Native Americans on the Trail of Tears, their journey to
Oklahoma. Learn about the "Five Civilized Tribes", Native American traditions and customs, the
Indian Removal Act of 1830, and the obstacles they encountered along the Trail of Tears.
Task: After visiting each provided link, write a 1-2 page essay, pretending to be a Native
American who has been forced to relocate to the Oklahoma Territory because of the Indian
Removal Act. Don't forget to include your Indian name and its meaning, the tribe you belong to,
how you felt when you heard about the Indian Removal Act, and your struggle along the Trail of
Tears.
Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Are you ready to begin?!! There are 4 Modules that you will have to complete before
beginning your essay. Under each module, follow the provided links, which will redirect you to
a web page containing information on that particular subject. The final page of this handout can
be used for notes.
* Please feel free to use additional websites in an effort to thoroughly prepare
yourself for the task ahead.*
Module One- Pick a Tribe
The Trail of Tears involved the removal of the "Five Civilized Tribes" in Southeast America. The
"Five Civilized Tribes" are the Cherokee, the Choctaw, the Chickasaw, the Creek, and the Seminole
Indians. Follow each link to learn about each of the individual tribes' backgrounds, customs, and
traditions. When you have finished visiting each link, pick the tribe that you wish to be a part of. Make
sure you take notes, as you will use this information in your essay!
Questions to consider when taking notes on your tribe:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which part of the country did your Indian tribe live?
What were the roles of women, men, and children in your tribe?
What were some of the rituals/customs of your tribe?
How is your tribe's leadership organized?
What kind of housing, clothing, and food were specific to your tribe?
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Cherokee- http://www.bigorrin.org/cherokee_kids.htm
Chickasaw- http://www.bigorrin.org/chickasaw_kids.htm
Choctaw- http://www.bigorrin.org/choctaw_kids.htm
Creek- http://www.bigorrin.org/creek_kids.htm
Seminole- http://www.bigorrin.org/seminole_kids.htm
Did you decide which tribe you want to join? Great! Be sure to write your tribe's name down
and notes about their culture. You can then proceed to Module 2!
Module Two- Pick an Indian Name
Now that you are a member of the tribe, you need an Indian name. Click on the following link
to read some Indian names and their meanings. When you are finished, write your Indian name
and its meaning in your notes.
Questions to consider:
1. What is your Indian name?
2. What does your Indian name mean?
http://www.snowwowl.com/swolfNAnamesandmeanings.html
Did you choose a name for yourself? Great! This is the name you will go by throughout the
rest of the lesson.
Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Module Three-The Indian Removal Act of 1830
Follow the following link to learn about the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Make sure you
take notes!
Questions to Consider:
1. What were some of the events that led up to the Indian Removal Act?
2. After the Indian Removal Act, what did the Supreme Court rule on it?
3. What was the military round up that occurred shortly after the Indian Removal Act?

http://www.powersource.com/cocinc/history/trail.htm
Did you learn anything new? Great! You can now proceed to Module Four!
Module Four- Obstacles Along the Trail
LAST MODULE!!! Click on each of the following links to learn about the conditions that
Native Americans faced along the Trail of Tears. Be sure to take good notes, as you will need
them when writing your essay.
Questions to Consider:
1. What kind of food could you find consistently along the Trail to eat?
2. What were the weather conditions that Indians faced along the trail?
3. What kind of disease ravaged the Indian tribes on the Trail and approximately how many
Indians died as a result of it?
4. According to the actual account (linked below), what was the morale of Native
Americans on the trail? Summarize the conditions and experiences from the firsthand
accounts.
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FOOD, WEATHER, EXHAUSTION & DISEASE- Click on the following link for
general information: http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/history-of-nativeamericans/trail-of-tears.htm
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER- Click on the following link to about the MIGHTY
Mississippi River: http://www.caleuche.com/River/RiverFacts.htm
ACTUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE TRAIL OF TEARS- by an Native Americans and other
witnesses:
o
o
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/indian_removal/bushyhead.cfm
http://www.powersource.com/cherokee/burnett.html
Are you finished with all modules? Great! You may begin your essay!
Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Task: Write a 1-2 page essay, pretending to be a Native American who has been forced to
relocate to the Oklahoma Territory because of the Indian Removal Act. Don't forget to include
your Indian name and its meaning, the tribe you belong to, how you felt when you heard about
the Indian Removal Act, and your struggle along the Trail of Tears. You should use
information from the links provided, as well as your imagination!!! Below is a list of things
that MUST be included in the essay:
A.) Information from links:

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
What is your Indian name, and what is its meaning?
What tribe do you belong to? Give me some background information on your tribe,
including what region of the country they are native to, beliefs, customs, rituals, clothing,
shelter, roles of men, women, and children, etc..
What was the Indian Removal Act? Which President pushed for it to pass? What did the
Supreme Court rule about the Act, and how did the President respond?
What were some of the challenges you faced along the Trail?
B.) Examples of creative thinking topics to address:
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how you felt when you heard about the Indian Removal Act?
what was the hardest part of the trail for you?
did anyone you know (family or friends) die along the trail (& how)?
Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Questions to consider:
Module 1: Pick a Tribe
Tribe
Cherokee
Notes
Chickasaw
Choctaw
Creek
Seminole
1. Which part of the country did your Indian tribe live?
2. What were the roles of women, men, and children in your tribe?
3. What were some of the rituals/customs of your tribe?
4. How is your tribe's leadership organized?
5. What kind of housing, clothing, and food were specific to your tribe?
Mrs. Svetik
U.S. History 7
Module Two- Pick an Indian Name
1. What is your Indian name?
2. What does your Indian name mean?
Module Three-The Indian Removal Act of 1830
1. What were some of the events that led up to the Indian Removal Act?
2. After the Indian Removal Act, what did the Supreme Court rule on it?
3. What was the military round up that occurred shortly after the Indian Removal
Act?
Module Four- Obstacles Along the Trail
1.What kind of food could you find consistently along the Trail to eat?
2.What were the weather conditions that Indians faced along the trail?
3.What kind of disease ravaged the Indian tribes on the Trail and approximately how many
Indians died as a result of it?
4.According to the actual account (linked below), what was the morale of Native Americans on
the trail? Summarize the conditions and experiences from the firsthand accounts.