Final answer:
The Cherokee tribe chose to live in the Qualla Boundary due to forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears, occurring as a result of the Indian Removal Act and the expansion of European settlements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cherokee tribe chose to live in the Qualla Boundary primarily due to forced relocation as part of the events surrounding the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee, along with other Native American tribes collectively referred to as the Five Civilized Tribes, were subjected to forced removal from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to what was then designated as 'Indian Territory' in present-day Oklahoma. This was a consequence of the Indian Removal Act and the high demand by European settlers for the fertile lands that these tribes had developed.
The Trail of Tears signifies the devastating journey and the hardships faced by the Cherokee people during this relocation. An estimated 8,000 Cherokees died from sickness and exposure to harsh weather conditions on the way to what is now Oklahoma. Despite the severe circumstances, the Cherokee people managed to rebuild and reestablish their governments and societal systems after relocation, demonstrating their resilience.