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The Overland Trail

The Overland Trail. Go west young man, go west! Or “Happy Trails to You Until We Meet Again”. The Overland Trail. There were three main trails that settlers followed to cross the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean: The Oregon Trail The California Trail The Santa Fe Trail

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The Overland Trail

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  1. The Overland Trail Go west young man, go west! Or “Happy Trails to You Until We Meet Again”

  2. The Overland Trail • There were three main trails that settlers followed to cross the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean: • The Oregon Trail • The California Trail • The Santa Fe Trail (OK so this one does not go to the Pacific….)

  3. The Overland Trail • The first large-scale migration west took place in 1843 when 120 wagons carrying more than 1,000 people left for Oregon. • Moving west meant saying good bye to family and friends knowing that you may never see them again.

  4. The Overland Trail • Independence, Missouri was the “jumping off” spot for the trail. • The goal was Willamette Valley in Oregon and Sutter’s Fort in California. • People traveled on horseback, rode in wagons or walked beside the fully loaded wagon/prairie schooner.

  5. The Overland Trail • The trip of 2000 miles took 5 to 6 months to complete depending….. • The well prepared settler took 200 lbs of flour, 150 lbs coffee, 10 lbs of salt, 20 lbs sugar, dried beans and fruit, spare wagon parts, tools, clothing and a few mementos of the life they were leaving. • The trip would cost approximately $600 (An average worker only made $1.50 a week)

  6. Demanding Daily Chores • Everyone had chores to do on the trail. • The men drove the wagons, tended to the animals, repaired the wagons and tack, hunted game to keep supplies from running low, fill water barrels at river crossings, consulted on the best route to take the following day and standing guard at night.

  7. Demanding Daily Chores • The women (usually having to walk beside the wagon) had the hardest road to travel. They had to cook the meals, care for the children, wash and mend the clothing, play Dr. Mom to the sick and pack and unpack the wagon every day no matter the weather. • Children had to keep an eye on the animals and younger siblings, follow the wagon collecting “buffalo chips” for the fire and gather wood/grasses as needed.

  8. Hazards of the Journey • Many could not endure the trail or handle the isolation of being so far from loved ones, so they returned. • Because fresh fruit and veggies were not plentiful not to mention the lack of a fresh water supply, many pioneers suffered from diseases such as cholera, dysentery, small pox and dehydration.

  9. Hazards of the Journey • The weather was a huge factor in whether or not a pioneer was successful. • If you left too early, then the grasses may not be high enough to feed the animals or the rivers and lakes may not be thawed. • If you left too late, then you faced watering holes drying up or early winter storms could trap the pioneers (Can you say the Donner Party?).

  10. Hazards of the Journey • There was only about a four month window in which they could travel in. • When the going got tough, the pioneers often had to leave treasures by the side of the road. • A few wagon trains encountered hostile natives, but in general the Native Americans were very helpful to those crossing the Plains.

  11. The Mormon Promised Land • At age 15 Joseph Smith began to have religious visions revealing that he was to head a new and purified church. • In 1830 the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints was born in Fayette, New York. • The Mormons faced prejudice due to the polygamy issue.

  12. The Mormon Promised Land • Nauvoo, Illinois was the largest town/city in Illinois with 20,000 people. It also was the home of the largest Mormon community. • In 1844 Smith was accused of treason. While in jail an angry mob broke in and murdered both Smith and his brother Hyrum. • Brigham Young fearing for the lives of the Mormons fled Illinois west.

  13. The Mormon Promised Land • Young crossed the Rockies and settled in the Great Basin and established the town of Deseret (present day Salt Lake City). • Within a year hard work, discipline and an ingenious irrigation system design by Young was responsible for creating an oasis in the desert.

  14. Life on the Frontier • Once reaching their destination, the pioneers had to say good bye to new found friends – people whom they had just entrusted their lives to. • After parting, the pioneers now had to build a homestead, fell trees and prepare for winter. • Life on the West Coast was much different from life on the East Coast.

  15. Life on the Frontier • The pioneers had to adjust to the new climate and growing seasons as well as farming conditions. • They would work tirelessly from morning ‘til well into the night.

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