Final answer:
The Trail of Tears involved the forced relocation of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes resulting in significant casualties and suffering. It was initiated by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to clear lands for white settlement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The forced removal of the Cherokees from their lands, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the death of approximately 4,000 Cherokee people due to the harsh conditions faced during the forced marches facilitated by the US military. The removal was a consequence of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which aimed at relocating Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River to make way for white settlers. This act affected not only the Cherokees but also the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole peoples, leading to immense suffering, death, and a significant alteration of their way of life. Despite the difficulties, the relocated tribes eventually reestablished their governments and communities but faced ongoing challenges, including issues surrounding the rights of their freedmen after emancipation.