The "Five Civilized Tribes" refers to five Native American nations: the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. These tribes were considered "civilized" by European settlers because they adopted various cultural practices, such as farming, written languages, and governance systems similar to those of European Americans. During the 19th century, these tribes faced forced removal from their ancestral lands, particularly through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This led to the tragic Trail of Tears, where thousands of Native Americans were displaced, suffering great hardship and loss as they relocated to designated territories in present-day Oklahoma.