The Trail of Tears
Comprehension Quiz
Name __________________________________
Date ___________________
1. The United States Government was able to own Cherokee lands east of the Mississippi because:
a. the Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee land belonged to the US Government.
b. the Cherokee wanted to sell their land east of the Mississippi and move to better land.
c. the US Government was able to use force against the Cherokee to give up the land.
2. The Cherokee asked to be put in charge of the walk to the Indian Territory because:
a. the US government was taking too long planning the walk.
b. the Cherokee felt they would take better care of those walking.
c. it would cost less money if they did the planning themselves.
3. Why did most white Americans want to move the Native American tribes west of the Mississippi?
a. They wanted the Native American’s land.
b. They wanted to give the Native Americans their own country.
c. It was a decision made by the US Supreme Court.
4. Today, what do we call land that belongs to Native tribes?
a. stockades
b. reservations
c. Indian Territory
5. Which of the following statements about the Trail of Tears is an opinion?
a. The Trail of Tears is named so because the journey was incredibly difficult and devastating to
the tribes forced to march it.
b. The forced removal of Native Americans from their homelands was the cruelest act
performed by the government in United States history.
c. The Cherokee formed their own government with a constitution and court system modeled
after those of the United States.
6. Which of the following statements about the Trail of Tears is FALSE?
a. The Trail of Tears was forced upon the Cherokee by the US Government.
b. The Cherokee were the only tribe removed from their land by the US Government.
c. The lands given to the Native Americans forced them to change their lifestyles.
7. Place the following events in the order in which they occurred. (1,2,3)
_____ 16,000 Native Americans were forced west along the Trail of Tears.
_____ The Indian Removal Act was passed, calling for thousands of Native Americans to
move to the western part of the United States.
_____ The Cherokee Trail was recognized as a National Historic Trail by the United States
Congress.
8. Why might the Cherokee have run out of some supplies on the Trail of Tears?
a. They thought white settlers would help them along the way.
b. The walk lasted longer than they expected it would last.
c. A storm destroyed the supply wagons heading west.
9. As you walk, only one ear should be covered with an ear bud or headphone.
a. true
b. false
10. Dendrites cells grow inside your brain as you make connections to what you are learning.
a. true
b. false