[Eagles6]

One of the reasons for the removal, aside from settlers wanting land, is that the Cherokee and other so called "Civilized Tribes" had sided with the British during the Revolutionary War and slaughtered thousands of settlers at their behest.

Men and boys were killed, women were raped and disembowelled, while young girls were taken as slaves.

Jackson knew many wanted revenge and wanted to end the animosity for good.

Another little known fact was that the Cherokee had many black slaves and some Cherokee fought for the Confederates during the War.

After the war, federal troops had to be sent to Indian Territory to force the Cherokee to free their slaves.

[MercyFlush]

The Cherokee sided with the British in 1776 and again in 1812. They and the rest of the hostile tribes were accordingly sent to Oklahoma. The many tribes that sided with the US in both wars were not marched west and many still have their tribal lands.