Mapping the Trail of Tears—Mobility, Power, and Place

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, the authors discuss a lesson plan for the middle school social studies classroom about the Trail of Tears. The lesson plan explores the concept of geographic mobility as articulated in the C3 Framework by the National Council for the Social Studies to examine the forced removal of the Cherokees from their lands during the first half of the 19th century. The purpose of this lesson is to ground geographical thinking in the historical factors surrounding the Trail of Tears, illustrating that the lines and dots tracking the migration represent real human experiences, political power dynamics, and social and cultural resilience over time.

Showing the abstract — retrieve the full paper via the Exa API.