Final answer:
The Indian Removal Act led to the forced relocation of many tribes, with the Choctaw being the first to endure the 'trail of tears and death.' To identify which tribe traveled the shortest distance, examination of specific route maps would be required.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced the relocation of Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River, with the Five Civilized Tribes being the most affected. The Choctaw were the first tribe to be removed, starting in 1831 after the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Their journey, often referred to as the 'trail of tears and death,' indicates the harrowing conditions faced during this move.
Considering the information available, the tribe that traveled the shortest distance during the Indian Removal would be harder to ascertain without specific information on distances each tribe traveled. Maps of the removal routes, like Figure 12.8 and Figure 12.2.3, would be necessary for an accurate comparison. However, it is known that each tribe experienced great hardships during their respective removals, with many not surviving the journey to what is now Oklahoma.