1. Overland Trails
Pioneers

2. Lewis & Clark

4. Oregon Territory First area of settlement 4 reasons why
Lewis and Clark reported on its great resources
Zebulon Pike reported the prairies were a “Great American Desert”
California was under Mexican rule and off limits to Americans
Oregon was jointly owned by U.S. and Great Britain

5. Zebulon Pike

7. Biggest Problems Breakdowns – no spare parts Indian attacks after 1867
Disease – Cholera #1 killer
Unsanitary conditions
Buffalo chips on fires
1-17 people on a train died from Cholera

8. Oregon Trail 1. The most popular trail until the Gold Rush period
2. Oregon Trail began at Independence, MO
3. Independence marked the beginning of 3 great trails
a. Oregon
b. California
c. Santa Fe

9. Oregon Trail
4. By 1843, Independence had 30 stores, 2 hotels, and population of 1600, making it the
largest town in western Missouri
5. The trip to the Oregon Territory took 6 months in good weather, 2000 miles in distance
Courthouse at Independence, MO

11. Oregon-bound emigrants camped at Ft. Laramie