Final answer:
President Andrew Jackson was the driving force behind the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes including the Five Civilized Tribes, resulting in the tragic Trail of Tears.
Step-by-step explanation:
The driving force behind the Indian Removal Act of 1830 was President Andrew Jackson. Jackson, renowned for his experience as an Indian fighter, set the tone for his administration's Indian policies. He advocated for the idea that for the sake of civilization and progress, Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River needed to be relocated to land in the West, a concept that resonated with the majority White populace who held antagonistic views towards Native Americans. The removal included the Five Civilized Tribes — the Cherokee, Creek (Muskogee), Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole — who were forced to vacate their ancestral lands and move to what is now Oklahoma. This act led to the tragic event known as the Trail of Tears, marked by the immense suffering and death of many Native Americans during their forced relocation.