- Active Resistance: The Seminole people fiercely resisted removal from their ancestral lands. They engaged in armed conflict with the United States military, known as the Seminole Wars, which lasted for several decades.
- Migration to Florida: A group of Seminoles led by Chief Osceola migrated south to Florida, where they established new communities and continued their resistance.
- Escape and Relocation: Some Seminoles managed to evade capture by the U.S. Army and blended into other Native American communities or sought refuge in the Everglades and other remote areas.
- Assimilation: A small number of Seminoles eventually accepted removal and assimilated into other Native American tribes or settled in designated reservations.
Cherokee Response:
- Peaceful Compliance: Unlike the Seminoles, the majority of the Cherokee people decided to comply with the Indian Removal Act and relocate peacefully.
- Trail of Tears: The forced removal of the Cherokees from their homeland in Georgia resulted in the infamous "Trail of Tears," a grueling journey during which thousands of Cherokee men, women, and children died due to disease, starvation, and harsh conditions.
- Loss of Land and Identity: The Cherokee people suffered significant losses in terms of their land, cultural practices, and traditional way of life as they were forcibly relocated to new territories.
- Efforts to Preserve Culture: Despite the hardships faced during removal, the Cherokee people made efforts to preserve their culture, language, and traditions throughout their journey.
Overall, the Seminole response was characterized by active resistance, armed conflicts, and attempts to preserve their autonomy, while the Cherokee response was marked by initial peaceful compliance followed by devastating consequences during their removal.