1. The Oregon Trail 8th Grade United States History Mrs. Chen

2. Why Oregon? Pioneers traveled to Oregon for several reasons including: to find fertile farmland, to bring Christianity to the Native Americans, for business and trade opportunities, and to head to California for gold. Pioneers traveled to Oregon for several reasons including: to find fertile farmland, to bring Christianity to the Native Americans, for business and trade opportunities, and to head to California for gold. Most gold seekers came overland along this trail but many others came from Mexico, South America, Europe, and Australia. Three hundred Chinese men also came to America, establishing California’s Chinese American community. Most gold seekers came overland along this trail but many others came from Mexico, South America, Europe, and Australia. Three hundred Chinese men also came to America, establishing California’s Chinese American community.

3. What was the Oregon Trail? “Oregon fever” began in the early 1840s and lasted until 1869 when the transcontinental railroad made traveling across the country quicker and easier. “Oregon fever” began in the early 1840s and lasted until 1869 when the transcontinental railroad made traveling across the country quicker and easier. The Oregon trail began along the Mississippi River and followed 2,000 miles across the continent. After making in through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, pioneers followed the Columbia River into Oregon Country (modern day Washington and Oregon). The Oregon trail began along the Mississippi River and followed 2,000 miles across the continent. After making in through the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, pioneers followed the Columbia River into Oregon Country (modern day Washington and Oregon).

4. Map

5. What was the Oregon Trail? The trip west lasted five or six months. Pioneers began in the spring in order to complete the trip before winter snows blocked the mountain passes. The trail crossed difficult terrain and the pioneers walked across plains that seemed like they would never end, forded through lively rivers, and climbed up high mountains. The trip west lasted five or six months. Pioneers began in the spring in order to complete the trip before winter snows blocked the mountain passes. The trail crossed difficult terrain and the pioneers walked across plains that seemed like they would never end, forded through lively rivers, and climbed up high mountains.

6. What was the Journey Like? Do you think the travel along the Oregon trail was easy? NO!! Do you think the travel along the Oregon trail was easy? NO!! Dangers included: fierce animals, attacks by Native Americans, difficult weather, dangerous terrain, robbery, and disease. Dangers included: fierce animals, attacks by Native Americans, difficult weather, dangerous terrain, robbery, and disease. About one out of every ten pioneers died on the trail from either disease, overwork, hunger, or accidents. About one out of every ten pioneers died on the trail from either disease, overwork, hunger, or accidents.

7. Wagons 18 feet long 18 feet long 11 feet high 11 feet high 4 feet wide 4 feet wide Curved floor to prevent cargo from spilling Curved floor to prevent cargo from spilling Tough, white canvas cover Tough, white canvas cover

8. Supplies In order to successfully complete the journey, you would need: one or two sturdy wagons, 6- 10 oxen, plenty of clothes, 1-2 milk cows, 600 pounds of flour, 120 pounds of biscuits, 400 pounds of bacon, 60 pounds of coffee, 4 pounds of tea, 100 pounds of sugar, and 200 pounds of lard, plenty of rice, beans, and dried fruit, utensils, furniture, stoves, guns, and farming/household supplies. In order to successfully complete the journey, you would need: one or two sturdy wagons, 6- 10 oxen, plenty of clothes, 1-2 milk cows, 600 pounds of flour, 120 pounds of biscuits, 400 pounds of bacon, 60 pounds of coffee, 4 pounds of tea, 100 pounds of sugar, and 200 pounds of lard, plenty of rice, beans, and dried fruit, utensils, furniture, stoves, guns, and farming/household supplies.

9. Early Settlers John Jacob Astor of New York established the American Fur Company. Beaver skins were in great demand because the fur was used to make hats which were very popular at the time, especially in Europe. John Jacob Astor of New York established the American Fur Company. Beaver skins were in great demand because the fur was used to make hats which were very popular at the time, especially in Europe.

10. Early Settlers Mountain men such as Jedidiah Smith were men who knew how to live in the Oregon wilderness and trap beavers. Many of them had Native American wives and adopted native ways of life. Mountain men such as Jedidiah Smith were men who knew how to live in the Oregon wilderness and trap beavers. Many of them had Native American wives and adopted native ways of life. These men had to be skillful and resourceful to survive. One man once held his hands “in an anthill until they were covered with ants, then greedily licked them off.” These men had to be skillful and resourceful to survive. One man once held his hands “in an anthill until they were covered with ants, then greedily licked them off.”

11. Famous Travelers Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa went to Oregon in 1836 to build a mission among the Cayuse people in what is now Walla Walla, Washington. The Cayuse attacked the mission in 1847 because they blamed the Whitmans for bringing a measles epidemic that killed many of their children. Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa went to Oregon in 1836 to build a mission among the Cayuse people in what is now Walla Walla, Washington. The Cayuse attacked the mission in 1847 because they blamed the Whitmans for bringing a measles epidemic that killed many of their children.

12. Famous Travelers James K. Polk was the president who went to war with Mexico, ultimately winning California and New Mexico because he wanted to fulfill Manifest Destiny James K. Polk was the president who went to war with Mexico, ultimately winning California and New Mexico because he wanted to fulfill Manifest Destiny The Donner Party was a group of 87 pioneers who became trapped in the Sierra Nevadas and ultimately resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. The Donner Party was a group of 87 pioneers who became trapped in the Sierra Nevadas and ultimately resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. James Marshall and John Sutter built a sawmill on the American River (present day Sacramento). Marshall saw something glowing in the water and before long the secret was out! James Marshall and John Sutter built a sawmill on the American River (present day Sacramento). Marshall saw something glowing in the water and before long the secret was out! The Forty-Niners were the people who arrived from all over in 1849 looking for gold! The Forty-Niners were the people who arrived from all over in 1849 looking for gold!