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
free land
economic opportunities
fur trade
adventure
searching for gold
religious freedom
excellent farmland
Washing gold

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 USA

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

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 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

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 USA

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!

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
Oregon Trail
Tracy Hendrickson
owensville.k12.mo.us