1. Traveling the Oregon Trail
Oregon or Bust:
Traveling the Oregon Trail

2. Joint Ownership 4 Owners: Spain, US, GB, Russia
Britain claims due to fur trade
1846: fewer than 1000
US claims due to L&C exploration and fur trade
1840s: Missionaries settle valleys by Colombian River
“Oregon Fever”

4. Thanks, Polk! 1844 Campaign: “54’40 or fight!”
Won the election, decided to peacefully split the territory with GB (TX takes attention)
1846: split along the 49th parallel; continued from Louisiana 1818
WA, OR, ID gained
49th Parallel
James K. Polk

5. Trails Established Oregon City, Oregon Independence, Missouri Idaho
Wyoming
Nebraska
Kansas
Independence, Missouri

6. Oregon Trail Starts
Originally mapped out by trailblazers, pioneers, and fur trappers
2,200 miles long
Horses first, then oxen and wagons as populations grew
“Jumping off” points-stations you dropped your belongings off at
Longest overland trail via land
Conestoga Wagons: made of wood, mobile home, no breaks, upwards $1,000

7. Conestoga Wagons