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Westward Ho!. Trails to the West. Push /Pull Factors. Why would people in the eastern United States want to move west during the mid-1800’s? What factors were PUSHING and PULLING? PUSH FACTORS – Circumstances or challenges that cause people to want to pull up stakes and move to a new place.
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Westward Ho! Trails to the West
Push /Pull Factors • Why would people in the eastern United States want to move west during the mid-1800’s? • What factors were PUSHING and PULLING? • PUSH FACTORS – Circumstances or challenges that cause people to want to pull up stakes and move to a new place. • PULL FACTORS – Circumstances or advantages that draw people to a new place
Push Factors • Panic of 1837 • Harsh winters • Restless/Curious • Looking for Wealth
Pull Factors • Fur Trade • Rich Resources – timber, game, gold • Land • Mild Climate • Adventure
Challenges Along the Way • Shortages of food, water, supplies • Rough Weather • Disease / Illness • Geographic Barriers • Environmental Dangers • Weight in the wagons
Fur Trappers • High demand for fur in Europe caused companies to move West in search of more beavers. • John Jacob Astor created one of the largest fur businesses – American Fur Company • Fur Traders and Trappers became known as “Mountain Men.” – Jedediah Smith, Manuel Lisa, Jim Bridger, Jim Beckwourth • Rocky Mountain “Rendezvous” – once a year gathering of trappers and traders. • Fur trade came to an end by the 1840’s – mountain men stories lured many new settlers.
Oregon Trail • 2, 000 mile long trail – from Independence, MO or Council Bluffs, IA west into Oregon Country • After the Rocky Mountains it forked. Northern branch went to Willamette Valley in Oregon. The other branch went to California and became the California Trail.
Santa Fe Trail • Independence, MO to Santa Fe, New Mexico • Followed ancient trading route used by Native Americans • American traders loaded wagons full of cloth and other manufactured goods and traded for horses, mules, and SILVER! They made lots of money!
Mormon Trail • 1830 – Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – known as Mormons • Some of their beliefs and practices caused the Mormons to be persecuted. • Polygamy (outlawed by the church in 1890) • The Book of Mormon written from golden tablets • Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844 • Brigham Young took over and chose Utah as the group’s new home.