Bell Ringer – 1/5/09 Welcome back! Write a paragraph explaining a “current event” from the past 2 weeks. Go Ohio State Buckeyes! Beat the Univ. of Texas Longhorns in the Fiesta Bowl tonight!

The Oregon Trail A Journey Westward

Fur in the West Fur trade was profitable in the Rocky Mountains (many animals) Fur trade was profitable in the Rocky Mountains (many animals) Fur trappers, or mountain men, settled and built businesses in the “Far West” Fur trappers, or mountain men, settled and built businesses in the “Far West”

The Oregon Trail Astoria - fur-trading post in Oregon Country. Traders traveled to Astoria along the “Oregon Trail” Astoria - fur-trading post in Oregon Country. Traders traveled to Astoria along the “Oregon Trail” Farming families followed the trail. Farming families followed the trail. Missionaries traveled the trail to convert Am. Indians to Christianity Missionaries traveled the trail to convert Am. Indians to Christianity

The Oregon Trail connected the Midwest with Oregon Country

Traveling the Trail Pioneers to Oregon traveled in large groups to help each other deal with deep mud, heavy snow, and rain-swollen rivers Pioneers to Oregon traveled in large groups to help each other deal with deep mud, heavy snow, and rain-swollen rivers Placed all belongings in covered wagons Placed all belongings in covered wagons

The Journey The 2,000 mile long journey took 5-6 months. Many people did not survive.

The Donner Party Group who broke from the Oregon Trail to head to California Group who broke from the Oregon Trail to head to California Became snowbound during winter of and 42 members died in the mountains Became snowbound during winter of and 42 members died in the mountains Showed that traveling the trail was hazardous Showed that traveling the trail was hazardous

The Cold Winter The Donner Party reached the Sierra Nevada mountains in October 1846, but a snowstorm blocked their way. The Donner Party reached the Sierra Nevada mountains in October 1846, but a snowstorm blocked their way. Demoralized and low on supplies, about 3/4 of the emigrants camped at a lake (now called Donner Lake), while others camped about six miles away. Demoralized and low on supplies, about 3/4 of the emigrants camped at a lake (now called Donner Lake), while others camped about six miles away.

Cannibalism The emigrants killed their remaining oxen, but there was not enough meat to feed so many for long. In December, 15 of the trapped emigrants, later known as the “Forlorn Hope”, set out on crudely fashioned snowshoes for a fort 100 miles away, to seek help. The emigrants killed their remaining oxen, but there was not enough meat to feed so many for long. In December, 15 of the trapped emigrants, later known as the “Forlorn Hope”, set out on crudely fashioned snowshoes for a fort 100 miles away, to seek help. This group consisted of 10 men and 5 women. When one man gave out and had to be left behind, the others continued, but soon became lost and ran out of food. Caught without shelter in a raging blizzard, 4 more people died. This group consisted of 10 men and 5 women. When one man gave out and had to be left behind, the others continued, but soon became lost and ran out of food. Caught without shelter in a raging blizzard, 4 more people died. The survivors resorted to cannibalism, then continued on their journey; 3 more died and were also cannibalized. Close to death, the 7 survivors reached safety on the western side of the mountains on January 18, The survivors resorted to cannibalism, then continued on their journey; 3 more died and were also cannibalized. Close to death, the 7 survivors reached safety on the western side of the mountains on January 18, 1847.

Homework Read Ch 10, Sn 3 (pps ) Read Ch 10, Sn 3 (pps ) Answer questions 1 & 4 (a,b,c) on page 334 Answer questions 1 & 4 (a,b,c) on page 334