Question

What helped the Cherokee survive on the Trail of Tears?

Answer 1

Hint: The majority of the hunting was done by Cherokee men, who shot deer, bear, wild turkeys, and small game. They fished in rivers and along the coast as well. Cornbread, soups, and stews cooked on stone hearths were popular Cherokee fare.

Complete answer:
Cherokee Indians were forcibly emigrated from their homes in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee in $1838$, when the US military and various state militias forcibly removed $15,000$ Cherokees from their homes in those states and relocated them to Indian Territory (now present-day Oklahoma).

The removal of the Cherokee Nation, now known as the notorious Trail of Tears, was carried out in accordance with federal and state policies that were fuelled by prejudice and established in response to the rapid expansion of white settlers and cotton farming. During the exodus to Indian Territory, the Cherokees lost about a quarter of their population to disease, malnutrition, and hardship. Many who survived made a new start in the west, while a few hundred Cherokees who had decided to become North Carolina residents remained in the mountains of western North Carolina.

The Cherokee were moved to stockades after being driven from their homes with few belongings. Following the difficulties encountered by the first party of Cherokees en route to Indian Territory, the Cherokees requested to be in charge of their own removal. Wagons, horses, and oxen were supported by the government. Aside from that, food and other essentials were procured. They were also able to forage for food along the way, which helped a lot of people make it through the journey.

Note: In the early days of the American republic, the removal of Indians was seen as a viable solution to diplomacy. Initially, the federal government encouraged Indians to follow modern white American customs such as Christianity and individual property ownership, as well as study English, in order to assimilate into American society under President George Washington.