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Westward Expansion 1820 - 1860. 1-Oregon Country 2-The Republic of Texas 3-California and the Southwest 4-The Mexican War 5-Americans Rush West. Objectives. Explain why settlers and trappers were attracted to Oregon and the Far West.
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Westward Expansion1820 - 1860 1-Oregon Country 2-The Republic of Texas 3-California and the Southwest 4-The Mexican War 5-Americans Rush West
Objectives • Explain why settlers and trappers were attracted to Oregon and the Far West. • Describe how mountain men helped explore lands in the Far West. • Describe the role missionaries played in the settlement of Oregon. • Discuss the hardships settlers faced on wagon trains to the West.
The Lure of Oregon • Settlers headed West for good land/climate • Oregon Country – region West of Rocky Mountains (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, western Canada) Pacific Coast: soil fertile, mild temps, rainfall plentiful (Willamette River) Mountain Range: dense forests, fur-bearing animals (fur trappers 1st to Oregon County) Coastal to Rockies: barren & dry, home to neither fur trappers or farmers • 1818 – US & Britain occupy Oregon jointly • Citizens of each nation have equal rights
Fur Trappers in the Far West • Mountain Men – settled in Oregon, trapped & lived off land • Admired as “rugged individualists” (follow own independent course in life) • Wore animal hides, porcupine quills, long hair • Dangerous job, food scarce, learned from Native Americans • Fall/spring – tended traps • July – Rendezvous (wilderness meeting point to trade) • Trading began to fail, mountain med began leading settlers across trails to Oregon
Exploring New Lands • Jedediah Smith – led settlers across Rockies through South Pass (Wyoming) • Manuel Lisa – Latino fur trader, led trip up Missouri River in 1807, founded Fort Manuel (1st outpost) • James Beckwourth – AA, travelled West from VA to escape slavery, Chief Crow Indians, discovered Sierra Nevadas (California)
Missionaries in Oregon • 1st settlers in Oregon • Marcus & Narcissa Whitman - misson Columbia River, worked w/Cayuse Indians • 1840 – many to Oregon • 1847 – measles outbreak to Cayuses (children), Indians attacked mission, killing Whitmans and 12 others
Wagon Trains West • “Oregon Fever” – 1843, wagon trains every Spring to Oregon on Oregon Trail • Pioneers covered 2000 miles in 5 months • Dangers – drowning, heat, snow blocked trails, Cholera spread quickly • Native Americans traded w/pioneers • 1840-1860: 50,000 people reached Oregon, outnumbered British • Leads to U.S wanting Oregon solely