1. Oregon and Santa Fe Trails
Both started in Independence Missouri
Central location
Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to get to the trail
Santa Fe Trail basically the route of Kearney’s army march in Mexican War
Importance of Trails
Starting point
Supplies
Known route
Safety/speed
US need to populate the region
Aim: Why did people move West?

2. Aim: Why did people move West?
What features stand out on the map?
What is the purpose?
Aim: Why did people move West?

3. Dangers/Problems on the Trails!
With a partner, come up with 5 problems or dangers that will exist along the trail system, and give a realistic (for the 1800’s!!!) way to solve the problem!!!
Aim: Why did people move West?

4. Problems/Dangers along the Trails
Health/sickness/disease/death
Hostile Native Americans
Robbers/bandits
Wild animals
Directions??
Temperature/climate/topography/Rocky Mts.
Lack of supplies
Heavy loads/slow trip (5 months)-Conestoga wagons
Women and children
Mormons (1857)- “Utah War”/ Mountain Meadow Massacre
“Circle the Wagons”
Donner Party
Yummy!!!!!!
Aim: Why did people move West?

5. Aim: Why did people move West?

6. Squatter’s Rights (Adverse Possession)
Gov’t policy in 1830’s and 40’s
settle on gov’t land until gov’t sold it
Rewards productive use of the land
Problems of this policy
Fighting for land
Legal claims?
Aim: Why did people move West?

7. Aim: Why did people move West?
Homestead Act (1862)
US gov’t gave 160 acres of land basically for free
$10 registration fee
must live on land
5 years to improve land
Why US created this policy?
Desperate need to populate the region
Protection/defense
↑Tax base
Spread out the population
Civil War importance-1862!!
Aim: Why did people move West?

8. Aim: Why did people move West?
Land Rush
What land did the US give away?
Midwest
Usually not the best land
Parts of Oklahoma (again screwing the Natives!)
Land Rushes- late 1800’s
“Stake your claim”
“Oklahoma Sooners”
Aim: Why did people move West?

9. Aim: Why did people move West?
California Gold Rush-1849
1845- non-Indian population of Cal. Was 700 people
,000
,000
1849- Sutter’s Mill- near San Francisco
Difference between California and other Western migration
California -the rest
Single males -families/ starting farms
Boom or bust -long term settlements
“GOLD DIGGERS”
IMPORTANCE OF CALIFORNIA
Agriculture/Gold
Pacific Ocean
Giant size- population and land mass
Split US population- early statehood
Potential problem of statehood?
Aim: Why did people move West?

10. Aim: Why did people move West?