The Far West Chapter 14-2

I. Oregon Country

A. Control of Oregon Country US and England signed a treaty sharing Oregon in 1818 Treaty was renewed in 1827 Few British settlers moved to Oregon

B. People in Oregon

1. Mountain Men Made their living selling furs. Rendezvous – yearly meeting where they would sell their furs When furs stopped selling the worked as guides

2. Missionaries Went to Oregon to convert Native Americans to Christianity Marcus and Narcissa Whitman – killed by Cayuse Indians after members of the tribe died from disease

II. The Trails

A. The Oregon Trail 2,000 Miles Started in Independence Missouri Took 6 to 8 months Cost about $600

B. California Trail Branched off the Oregon trail Passed through the Sierra Nevada Mountains Goal was usually Sutter’s Fort

Donner Party Got Lost taking a short cut Trapped in the mountains Almost half died

Ran between Independence, MO and Santa Fe NM Usually used by traders C. Santa Fe Trail Ran between Independence, MO and Santa Fe NM Usually used by traders

D. Dangers Shortages of supplies Natural barriers (rivers/mountains) Weather Hostile tribes Getting lost

E. Why go West? Cheap land Bad economy in the East