Oregon Trail Research Paper

When our country was first established, its westward reaches remained relatively unsettled and unexplored. As America grew, the idea of westward expansion (the settling of the west as the country expanded) grew ever more popular. But how did pioneers cross the American Wilderness? Before the groundbreaking completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869, settlers traversed the American West along rough-hewn trails. One such trail—and one of the most well-known—was the Oregon Trail. Stretching over 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to destinations in Oregon and California, the Oregon Trail was the interstate of its time. It is approximated that over 500,000 settlers made the 4-6 month journey across plains, rivers, and mountains,
These “wagon trains” were composed of anywhere from 20 to 100 individual wagons. Wagon trains provided an organized, efficient way for settlers to cross the Oregon Trail. Before setting off, the group worked together to obtain supplies, hire guides and escorts, and anything else that they needed. Although hostile natives were uncommon, they did exist, and bandits preyed upon lone travelers. In order to deter such incidents, a few people on horseback served as guards and directors for the caravan. As part of a train, pioneers gained the benefit of group protection, and almost always made the journey unhindered. Another benefit to this system was that it allowed individuals to trade with others in the group. This way, people were less likely to run out of the things that they needed. Wagon trains were usually run by elected officers, who acted as leaders for the group. They decided when the group would begin moving each day, and kept them going at a steady pace. At night, they picked where and when the train would settle in for the night. An interesting tactic employed by the wagon trains was their tendency to form a circle with their caravan when they stopped for the night. This provided them more protection overnight, but it also served to form a corral for their livestock, keeping them from being lost or stolen at night. Some companies made wagon trains their business, providing protection and guidance to
Before a person could even leave, they had to already know where they were going and how to get there. Whether it was the sunshine and gold calling them to California, or the rich, loamy soil beckoning them to Oregon, every pioneer had to know their final destination. They also had to map out the trail. The Oregon Trail isn’t one singular roadway. It splits off in many different directions and places, and it is also merged by other trails as well. And the trail wasn’t just confusing, it was treacherous. Swampy ground threatened to bog down wagons, forcing travelers to dispose of some of their belongings to continue. Pioneers could avoid this by heeding instruction and keeping their wagons at the advised weight level. River crossings also claimed many lives. When settlers came upon a river, their only choices were to a: convert their wagon into a raft and float it across, or b: go around the river, which may take several extra days. Most people didn’t want to take the extra time to go around, so they attempted the crossing, which sometimes ended in disaster. If overloaded, a wagon may have capsized, destroying all its cargo, and possibly drowning those riding in it. Sometimes unprecedented rapids caught hold of wagons and dashed them against the rocks, sending its passengers and goods into the water. In order to safely cross rivers, pioneers had to prepare extensively. Their wagons had to