Question: indian removal act and trail of tears definition

title: Trail of Tears
text: The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals , sometimes at gunpoint , of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States to other areas , one which was an area West of the Mississippi River that had been designated as Indian Territory . The forced relocations were carried out by government authorities following the passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830 . Many of the relocated native people suffered from exposure , disease , and starvation while en route to their new designated reserve , and many died before reaching their various designated reserve ( s ) . The removal included members of the Cherokee , Muscogee ( Creek ) , Seminole , Chickasaw , Choctaw , and Ponca nations . The phrase `` Trail of Tears '' originates from a description of the many native american tribes removal ; including the infamous Cherokee Nation in 1838 . 

Answer: answer: The phrase ``Trail of Tears'' originates from a description of the many Native American tribes removal, sometimes at gunpoint, of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States to other areas.