Thus began one of the most disgraceful and heart-rending episodes in American history. The Cherokees were rounded up, herded into prison camps, and then sent west along what they came to call “The Trail of Tears.” It has been estimated that some 18,000 Cherokees were removed, of whom 4,000 died as a result of their capture, detention, or westward journey. Jackson himself had retired from the presidency when the Cherokee exodus was set in motion. Still he shares much of the blame for his inhuman deed. He was so anxious to expel the red man from “civilized society” that he took little account of
...more
Jackson clearly didn't give a shit about their safety. It's galling that the author said this.
