Manifest Destiny had a profound impact on Native American tribes as the United States pushed westward. As American settlers migrated further into Native American territory, conflicts arose, leading to forced relocations and the devastation of indigenous communities.

One of the most significant events during this period was the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This legislation authorized the government to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes in order to acquire their lands and force their relocation to designated Native American territories further west – primarily present-day Oklahoma. As a result, numerous tribes, including the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole, were forcibly uprooted from their ancestral lands.

The infamous Trail of Tears serves as a stark example of the devastating consequences of westward expansion. In the case of the Cherokee Nation, despite their legal efforts to resist removal, over 15,000 Cherokee individuals were forcibly removed from their homes and forced to march to Indian Territory. The grueling journey, plagued by harsh weather conditions, disease, and inadequate supplies, resulted in the death of approximately 4,000 Cherokee people.

The impact of westward expansion on Native American tribes extended beyond forced removals. As settlers encroached on their lands, conflicts erupted. These conflicts ranged from small skirmishes to large-scale wars, such as the Black Hawk War and the Dakota War of 1862. Native American tribes faced the loss of their traditional hunting grounds, disruption of their cultural practices, and depletion of vital natural resources. These devastating consequences of Manifest Destiny continue to shape the history and present-day realities of Native American communities.