The indian removal act was signed into law by andrew jackson on may 28, 1830, authorizing the president to grant unsettled lands west of the mississippi in exchange for indian lands within existing state borders. a few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted the relocation policy. during the fall and winter of 1838 and 1839, the cherokees were forcibly moved west by the united states government. approximately 4,000 cherokees died on this forced march, which became known as the "trail of tears." —"indian removal act," the library of congress according to the passage, why did some cherokees resist moving west? they did not want the government to gain land east of the mississippi. they did not want to be forced from their homeland. they wanted to pay the government for new land. they wanted to become american citizens and live in american lands.