The Trail of Tears (Cornerstones of Freedom) (Paperback)

by R. Conrad Stein (Author) "Campfires flickered and elderly chiefs of various tribes sat cross-legged waiting to hear a speech from the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, President Jackson, Supreme Court (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Describes the Federal government's seizure of Cherokee lands in Georgia and the forced migration of the Cherokee Nation to Oklahoma along the route that came to be known as the Trail of Tears. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT); Revised edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516466666
• ISBN-13: 978-0516466668
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #630,209 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My history teacher never mentioned this..., July 28, 2005

By	Anna "jcailte" (Tukwila, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This is a nice, brief retelling of what the Trail of Tears was, who was involved, and how terrible it was. It all began with the discovery of gold on the Cherokee lands in Georgia, which had been granted to them by treaty with the United States government. The state of Georgia wanted the land and the gold. As one of the "Five Civilized Tribes," the Cherokees tried to fight for their rights through the legal system. They brought a lawsuit to the Georgia state court, which ruled against them. They appealed the ruling and their case was taken all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 1832 that the US government had to honor its treaty and white people were to stay out of Cherokee lands. But even with the Supreme Court supporting them, President Jackson refused to help. Instead, he put through the Indian Removal Act, which started the forced removal of all Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River. The Cherokees were forced to march 800 miles from their homes in Georgia all the way to Oklahoma Territory. Along the Trail of Tears, hundreds died. The Cherokee and other tribes were promised a permanent home in Oklahoma Territory. But in what proved to be the ultimate slap in the face, within thirty years the Federal government opened Oklahoma to white people for settlement. This is one of the most shameful epidsodes in United States history....

The book is bright and colorful, filled with period photographs and art, as well as original drawings showing the hardships of the Trail. The text is easy reading at about a fourth grade level. It makes an excellent supplement to history class, and it opens the door to critically thinking about several issues:

The role and authority of the Supreme Court
The authority and responsibility of the President
How well the US government honors/dishonors its treaties
Treatment of Native Americans in the past and today

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Excellent, March 9, 2007

By	Thomas Jones "info man" (Somerset County, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is an excellent choice for those of a younger age wanting to understand an unsettling portion of American history. Well written and illustrated.