1. "...and beholding in a moment such an extensive scenery open before us, we could not refrain from a shout of joy which almost involuntarily escaped from our lips the moment this grand and lovely scenery was within our view."
ORSON PRATT, July 21, 1847
(primary source)
Right: Manifest destiny was used to describe westward expansion.
By:Andrew Capshaw

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Topic:
Title Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
Economic Trails
Santa Fe Trail
Oregon Trail
California Trail
Moving West
Oregon Territory
Troubles on the Prairie
The Mormons
Beliefs Cause Violence
The Great Migration: Part 1, Journey
The Great Migration: Part 2, Hardships
The Great Migration: Part 3, Handcarts
Settlement of “The Great Salt Lake
The Pony Express
The East and West Communication
Requirements
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Topic:
Buffalos and Ponies
Butler and Bronco
Martha Jane
Successes
Failures
The Express Slows Down
Conclusion
Bibliography I
Bibliography II
Right: Wagon trains traveled West in hopes of a better future.

3. The West held an important future for the United States, a still growing, independent nation that was facing the industrial revolution and the threat of a civil war to come. Communication, and transportation to the West quickly became problems that needed to be overcome in order for the United States to succeed.
Left: Transversing the mountains of the West was an ongoing problem throughout its settlement.

4. The mountain men and markets of Mexico both economically, and logistically helped settlers moving west.
Mountain men:
Found he fastest ways through the Mountains
Enabled the Oregon Trail
Found water sources
Created the “North” path West
Mexican Markets:
Created the Santa Fe Trail
A place where a trader could make a fortune.
Created “South” path West
Above: A mountain man hunting the West.

5. This trail was mainly used for: Settlement of the Southwest
When the Mexicans declared independence from Spain in 1821, they opened their borders to American traders.American merchants, seizing these opportunities, drove South a path that would become the economically induced Santa Fe trail.
This trail was mainly used for:
Settlement of the Southwest
Trading with Mexico
Missionaries crossing to the
West to convert Native Americans
Above : Merchants roamed the South West, making their fortune.

6. The Oregon trail was the six-month land route to the West; the more preferable one to the one-year sea route south, around the South American continent It was the fastest path through the mountains of the East and West, as discovered by the mountain men.
Above: The West was a large area of unorganized land, most of which was free of settlement.

7. Gold-seekers to California Farmers to the West
Left: The Oregon Trail split with the California at Fort Hall.
The trail crossed:
Missouri
Kansas
Nebraska
Colorado
Wyoming
Idaho
Utah
Nevada
Oregon
The trail ended in:
California
The California trail was an offspring of the more widely known Oregon trail. It was chosen for its short length, water, and grass for livestock.
It brought:
Gold-seekers to California
Farmers to the West

8. Reasons to go West included: Rich land Gold, and the gold rush
Moving West quickly became the topic of conversations across the East coast. The East was growing crowded (in farming terms) and the rich land in the Oregon territory tempted many.
Reasons to go West included:
Rich land
Gold, and the gold rush
Religious freedom/peace
Free land
Furs
Above: The endless plains of free land enticed many to make the rough journey West.

9. The Oregon territory was an area of land in the Northwest which was highly debated on between the U.S. and Britain.
Both wanted its land for the economy it produced. For the British, the fur drew them in. For the Americans, the free, and the perpetual amount of land for farming enticed them.
Many settlers moved to this area, even while the two governments argued over the claims. Eventually, the U.S. won.
Left: The Oregon territory as it appeared in 1848.

10. Other problems included: Buffalo stampedes Chorea (a disease)
The prairie was a vicious place to live and travel through. Diseases and malnutrition were among many of the settler’s problems.
Other problems included:
Buffalo stampedes
Chorea (a disease)
Thunderstorms/deadly hail
Exhaustion
“Accidental” Gunshots
Some Native American tribes
Above: Native Americans were not the only living troubles to the settlers. Buffalo stampedes killed many settlers.

11. The Mormons migrated West in hopes for a better and more peaceful life
The Mormons migrated West in hopes for a better and more peaceful life. It was a very difficult trip for all.
"In advance of us, at a great distance can be seen the outlines of mountains, loftier than any we have yet seen...their summits...covered with snow."
Horace Whitney, June 23, 1847
(primary Source)
(Primary Source)
Above: Brigham Young, the man who led the Mormons West.

12. The Mormons belief in polygamy (The marriage of one man to multiple women) caused many of their neighbors in the East to turn violent against them. The non-Mormons believed that polygamy was immoral, so they attacked the Mormons, which often ended in the death of one or more people.
Right: Before leaving, the Mormons built the Nauvoo temple to bless them on their way and create peace.
The non-Mormons wondered “Why would they build a temple just to leave it behind?”, so the violence continued.

13. Violence against the Mormons continued, and Joseph Smith, a Mormon leader, was killed. Brigham Young, another leader, decided that moving the Mormons west would be best for their community.
The trek started on:
February 4, 1846
Above: Joseph Smith was killed in some of the very violence which decided the Mormon’s trip West.

14. Some of the hardships they faced were: Extreme temperatures Bad Water
To cross the 2000 mile stretch of the United States, the Mormons had to be dedicated.
Some of the hardships they faced were:
Extreme temperatures
Bad Water
Starvation
Sickness
Livestock death
Death
Above: 1 in 10 people died along the trails west. Many people were unprepared for what they faced.

15. Carried all possessions
When the Mormons began their trip, many carried all that belonged to them. Once they crossed the Mississippi, many ditched all but the necessary to survive.
Handcart info:
Carried up to 500 pounds
Pulled by hand
Carried all possessions
Above: Many Mormons men walked the 2000 mile trip with no shoes while pulling a 500 pound handcart .

16. Canals (to water crops) Houses Farm equipment A church and other
As soon as the Mormons migrated West, they needed to set up a new way of life in order for them to survive the harsh conditions due mostly in part to being so disconnected from the whole of society. They built:
Dams (to water crops)
Canals (to water crops)
Houses
Farm equipment
A church and other
community buildings
Above: The Mormons created a settlement near “The Great Salt Lake”, which later became Salt Lake City, Utah.

17. “Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows
Not over 18. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.”
-Advertisement
Left:
Above: Both the riders and the station keepers, worked under constant danger during their employment at the Pony Express.

18. With the expansion east (due in part mostly to the Louisiana Purchase) and the threat of the upcoming civil war, the United States needed a way to communicate with the most rural and isolated towns in the West. The East was connected
by a series of telegraph systems, while the West was yet to be connected. The government put out a bid to find the quickest mail service West. Thus the Pony Express was born.
Right: Riders would ride 75 – 100 miles nonstop through all weather and seasons. (At night and day)

19. The requirements to join the Pony Express were: Be under 18
Be unafraid of death
Be an expert rider
Be an orphan (preferably)
Ironically, most riders of the Express did not fit any of these conditions. (All could ride, though)
Left: A poster, displaying the job's qualifications was used to draw young men to the Pony Express.
(Primary Source)

20. Famous for his fastest ride:
“Buffalo Bill” Cody-
Famous for supplying the workers of the transcontinental railroad with fresh buffalo meat and keeping them alive.
“Pony Bob” Haslam-
Famous for his fastest ride:
-8 H 20 M
-380 miles
Carried:
President Lincoln’s inaugural address
(Primary Source)
Above: “Buffalo Bill” Cody

21. “Bronco Charlie” Miller- Youngest member at age 11
He continued to ride until the Express’s end, even after suffering wounds from hostile Indians.
Wanted to enlist in WWII, but he was 92.
Above: “Bronco Charlie” Miller

22. Martha Jane “Calamity Jane” was a tough woman rider of the pony express. She had great marksmen skills, and survived attack from hostile Indians. She proved that women could strive and succeed in traditional men’s jobs.
Right: Martha Jane with her rifle
(Primary Source)

23. The successes of the Pony Express were:
Communication between East and West was increased greatly.
Fastest communication route before the telegraph was completed.
Communication to California at the beginning of the Civil War was possible.
Found the best route for the transcontinental railroad.
Above: The Pony Express helped the men who built the transcontinental telegraph.

24. The failures of the Pony Express were:
Financially- [The company spent $700,000 on the express, and they made only $500,000 before shutting the express down, leaving them with a deficit of $200,000. (They didn’t get the $1,000,000 contract from the government due to political instability, the completion of the telegraph/transcontinental railroad and the start of the Civil War.)]
Above: The transcontinental telegraph led to the Express’s downfall.

25. The transcontinental railroad allowed packages to be shipped faster.
The transcontinental railroad and telegraph both were the main factors that brought down the Pony Express. Ironically, the Pony Express helped establish both of its successors.
The transcontinental railroad allowed packages to be shipped faster.
The transcontinental telegraph allowed messages to be sent faster.
Right: The East and West railroad companies meet and the railroad is complete.
(Primary Source)

26. The Western Trails and the Pony Express both led toward the United State’s goal of “Manifest Destiny”. The Pony Express led the way in communication, as did the Trails West (such as
Above: Once the railroad and telegraph were complete, the pony express was over.
the Mormon Trail) in transportation and settlement. Later, the development of the transcontinental railroad and telegraph led towards their demise, but these two great strives were metaphors of the future of the United States of America.

27. Above: A wagon train traveling west to find a better future.
General:
Creating America, McDougal Little
The Trails:
Above: A wagon train traveling west to find a better future.

28. http://parentfrost. netfirms
The Mormons, Jean Kinney Williams
The Pony Express:
httpwww.americanwest.com/trails/pages/ponyexp.htm
://
Right: Mail carried by the Pony Express cost $5.00 for a ½ ounce, which later became $1.00.
(Primary Source)