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Traveling the OREGON TRAIL

Traveling the OREGON TRAIL. Objectives. Students will be able to summarize the events in westward expansion, including people’s motivation, their hardships, and Missouri as a jumping off point to the west. Oregon Territory. Made up of what is now: A. Oregon B. Washington C. Idaho

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Traveling the OREGON TRAIL

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  1. Traveling the OREGON TRAIL

  2. Objectives Students will be able to summarize the events in westward expansion, including people’s motivation, their hardships, and Missouri as a jumping off point to the west.

  3. Oregon Territory • Made up of what is now: • A. Oregon • B. Washington • C. Idaho • D. Parts of Montana • E. Parts of Wyoming

  4. Reasons for Heading West Washing gold - 1916 http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsc.02029/ free land economic opportunities fur trade adventure searching for gold religious freedom excellent farmland

  5. Covered Wagon • Waterproof canvas top • Wheels smaller in the front to make sharp turns easier • Pulled by oxen (stronger than mules or horses) • Prairie Schooner – looked like boats sailing across the green waves of • grass Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/

  6. Wagon Trains • Groups of covered wagons headed west together (sometimes 100+ wagons and over 1000 people) • Leader was selected to make major decisions • Council met to discuss and report on different problems that might occur during the trip

  7. Trail Guides • Fur trappers and traders who had made the trip before • Knew the best ways to travel the trails Jim Bridger http://loc.gov/pictures/

  8. Things to take on the Trail • Flour & yeast • Water • Seeds • Candles • Household utilities • Guns • Ammunition • Favorite dishes • Family pictures • Children’s favorite toys • Clothing • Notions • Tools • blankets

  9. “Jumping Off” • Refers to the location where preparations for the journey to Oregon Country began • Many travelers would join a “wagon train” • The trails west started in these cities in Missouri: • Independence • Westport Landing (now part of Kansas City) • St. Joseph

  10. Our home town was a “Jumping Off Point” Oregon Trail 1852-1906 by Ezra Meeker. Fourth Edition 1907

  11. When was the best time to travel? • If you left too early. . . Spring rains might cause the trail to become to muddy and wagon wheels would likely get stuck Grass wouldn’t be tall enough for the oxen and cattle to eat • If you left too late. . . Crossing the mountains in early winter snowstorms was difficult and dangerous • Perfect time: After the spring rains when the sun was shining and grass was growing tall

  12. Crossing Rivers • Large flat boats called scows, and seal wagons made with wood, tar, and candle wax mixed with ashes, would carry wagons across rivers • Horses, cows, and oxen had to swim • Indian rafts were sometimes available

  13. Dangers & Difficulties • Mud (wagon wheels stuck) • Ground too dry (dust) • Sicknesses • Children and adults injured or killed when they accidentally fall under a moving wagon • Dangerous mountain passages • Unfriendly, hostile Indians (steal cattle & horses)

  14. The Chores of Children • Milk cows • Get water from river • Watch cattle • Help cook • Wash dishes • Help skin & prepare buffalo or deer • Collect wood or buffalo chips • Shake out blankets & quilts • Hang beef jerky to dry http://loc.gov/pictures/item/200568653

  15. Animals on the Trail • Buffalo • Prairie dogs • Rattlesnakes • Owls • Wolves • Coyotes • Jackrabbits • Wild turkeys • Sage hens • Lizards • antelope

  16. How did they get more supplies along the trails? • Trading at Forts with other pioneers or Indians • Ft. Laramie (40 days to reach it) • Ft. Bridger (up to 30 more days) • Ft. Hall The Pony Express stables at Ft. Bridger Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/

  17. Wagons Over Mountains • Oxen • Tie one end of a rope to the back of the wagon, the other end of the rope to a tree, and PULL! http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?10011929+X-11929

  18. Landmarks Used for Direction • Chimney Rock (Nebraska) • Independence Rock (Wyoming) • Soda Springs • Steamboat Springs • Devil’s Backbone • Continental Divide (wagons would cross at South Pass, halfway to Oregon!)

  19. What do you have in common with the early settlers? Why early settlers traveled west: • Free land • Economic Opportunities • Fur trade • Adventure • To find gold • Religious Freedom • Excellent farmland Why do you live in Independence, Missouri? . . .to be close to your family? . . .your parents have good jobs here? . . .cheaper or better housing? . . .hopes and dreams? What is YOUR story?

  20. Bibliography The Oregon Trail http://www.isu.edu/~trinmich/Oregontrail.html Oregon Trail http://www.42explore2.com/oregon.html The Oregon Trail http://www.americanwest.com/trails/pages/oretrail.htm Tracy Hendrickson owensville.k12.mo.us

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