Transcript Westward Ho
Westward Ho!
Trails to the West
Push /Pull Factors
Why would people in the eastern United States want
to move west during the mid-1800’s?
What factors were PUSHING and PULLING?
PUSH FACTORS – Circumstances or challenges
that cause people to want to pull up stakes and move
to a new place.
PULL FACTORS – Circumstances or advantages
that draw people to a new place
Push Factors
Panic of 1837
Harsh winters
Restless/Curious
Looking for Wealth
Pull Factors
Fur Trade
Rich Resources – timber, game, gold
Land
Mild Climate
Adventure
Challenges Along the Way
Shortages of food, water, supplies
Rough Weather
Disease / Illness
Geographic Barriers
Environmental Dangers
Weight in the wagons
Fur Trappers
High demand for fur in Europe caused companies to
move West in search of more beavers.
John Jacob Astor created one of the largest fur
businesses – American Fur Company
Fur Traders and Trappers became known as
“Mountain Men.” – Jedediah Smith, Manuel Lisa,
Jim Bridger, Jim Beckwourth
Rocky Mountain “Rendezvous” – once a year
gathering of trappers and traders.
Fur trade came to an end by the 1840’s – mountain
men stories lured many new settlers.
Oregon Trail
2, 000 mile long trail – from Independence, MO or
Council Bluffs, IA west into Oregon Country
After the Rocky Mountains it forked. Northern
branch went to Willamette Valley in Oregon. The
other branch went to California and became the
California Trail.
Santa Fe Trail
Independence, MO to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Followed ancient trading route used by Native
Americans
American traders loaded wagons full of cloth and
other manufactured goods and traded for horses,
mules, and SILVER! They made lots of money!
Mormon Trail
1830 – Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints – known as Mormons
Some of their beliefs and practices caused the
Mormons to be persecuted.
Polygamy (outlawed by the church in 1890)
The Book of Mormon written from golden tablets
Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844
Brigham Young took over and chose Utah as the
group’s new home.