American Experience Season 21 Episode 7 We Shall Remain (Part 3): Trail of Tears

The American Experience season 21 episode 7, titled "We Shall Remain (Part 3): Trail of Tears," explores the devastating impact of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the forced removal of over 100,000 Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States. The episode follows the Cherokee Nation's struggle to resist relocation and maintain their sovereignty, highlighting the leadership of Principal Chief John Ross and the legal battles fought by Cherokee lawyers to challenge the removal policy in court.

Through interviews with historians, scholars, and members of the Cherokee Nation, as well as archival photographs and reenactments, "We Shall Remain (Part 3): Trail of Tears" provides a comprehensive overview of the events leading up to the forced removal, including the signing of the Treaty of New Echota by a minority faction of the Cherokee Nation, which was used as a pretext for the federal government's enforcement of the removal policy.

The episode also delves into the humanitarian crisis that unfolded during the forced removal, as thousands of Cherokee people were marched westward in harsh and inhumane conditions, resulting in widespread death and suffering. The Trail of Tears, as it came to be known, is widely recognized as one of the darkest chapters in American history, and remains a source of trauma and pain for many Native American communities to this day.

Despite the devastating impact of the Trail of Tears, "We Shall Remain (Part 3): Trail of Tears" also highlights the resilience and perseverance of the Cherokee Nation, as well as their ongoing efforts to rebuild their communities and preserve their cultural heritage. From the establishment of the Cherokee phoenix newspaper to the creation of the Cherokee syllabary by Sequoyah, the episode celebrates the rich history and traditions of the nation, and underscores the enduring significance of the Cherokee story for all Americans.

Overall, "We Shall Remain (Part 3): Trail of Tears" offers a powerful and moving exploration of one of the most tragic and consequential events in American history, as well as a tribute to the courage and resilience of the Cherokee people in the face of unimaginable adversity.