The following people groups headed West, faced hardships, and left legacies behind as they shaped the way our country developed. The Explorers – wanted to make friendly contact with the Indian groups that might be interested in trade, AND to find a water route across North America. The Mountain Men – fur traders who lived rough, yet adventurous lives.

The Missionaries – several missionaries answered the request of the Nez Perce Indians for someone to teach them about the “Black Book,” or the Bible. The Pioneer Women – women earned new status for themselves. They felt a sense of freedom and equality. Annie Bidwell helped get women in Wyoming the right to vote 20 years before other women in the U.S.

The Mormons – members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led by Brigham Young. Young claimed Salt Lake City, Utah for the Mormons. The Forty-Niners – tens of thousands of gold seekers from around the world joined the California gold rush.

The Chinese – by 1852, more than 20,000 Chinese came across the Pacific Ocean to the “Gold Mountain,” which is what people in China called California. They brought with them one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures.

The Mexicanos – Spanish-speaking people had been living in the southwestern region of what is now the U.S. since the 1500s. Even though most white settlers had little respect for Mexican Americans, they freely borrowed much that was useful from them. Spanish words and Mexican foods, laws, technology, and architecture became a lasting part of the Southwest culture.