Chapter 14 section 3

 Americans looking for new lands to settle ignored the plains from the Mississippi River to the Rockies. This area had been described as the “Great American Desert”.  More appealing were the stories that trappers and traders told of the Far West. Although California and Oregon Country were not a part of the U.S. by the 1830’s, America was eyeing them with great interest.

 In 1833, mountain man Joe Walker blazed the California Trail from Independence, Missouri to Mexican California. Back in the United States, word spread of California’s bounty. Walker tried to attract settlers to California.

 In 1836, missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman traveled the Oregon Trail to Oregon country. Their reports attracted thousands of settlers. The Whitman’s proved that entire families (including women) could travel to Oregon in their wagons. The Oregon Trail went from Independence, Missouri to the Oregon Country.

 In 1842, the U.S. government sent John C. Fremont to survey the Oregon Trail. Fremont made three trips surveying the Oregon Trail. The government published his reports with a detailed map of the trail. The map showed river crossings, pastures, and hazards.

 In the mid 1840’s the Mormons made a third trail west called the Mormon Trail. Led by Brigham Young, a Mormon religious leader, the Mormons wanted to find a place to practice their religion in peace. The Mormon Trail went from Navuoo, Missouri to Utah. The Mormons ultimately settled in Utah.

 At first, Indians in the West helped the new settlers. However, misunderstandings and distrust led to violence. The Whitmans were attacked and killed by Indians when the Indians blamed them for bringing the white man’s measles to the Cayuse people.  Also, Mexican authorities began to fear that settlers might seize California due to the growing number of settlers there.