The Trail of Tears was a tragedy for the Cherokee, a progressive and independent people whose population was markedly decreased by the hardships of lengthy confinements and an arduous journey. The forced removal left an indelible impression on the Cherokee psyche and remains the most significant event in Cherokee history. Its politics continue to be debated, and more than a century and a half later people still struggle to understand why it happened, how it affected those involved, and how it changed the future of American politics, thought, and justice. The removal also gave rise to myths, legends, and public perceptions that continue to weigh heavily on the American conscience. Cherokee leaders called for future generations to learn and not forget this wrongful taking of their homeland, while also insisting that the Trail of Tears was not an episode of defeat but part of a history in which their people faced adversity, survived, adapted, and now prosper and excel.