Westward Expansion
Traveling Through Missouri
Preparing for a long overland
journey was a big job. Travelers
needed basic food items such as
flour, butter, sugar, salt, yeast,
bacon, tea, and coffee. They
needed enough supplies for a sixmonth journey.
Traveling Through Missouri
Settlers traveled in
wagons drawn by four
to six horses or oxen.
They often joined with
others to form a
wagon train. These
trains could include
up to 100 wagons.
They traveled
together for safety.
Traveling Through Missouri
On a normal day, travelers would
wake up at 4:00 a.m. The wagon
train would journey until 4:00 p.m.
Then the settlers made camp and
cooked dinner. They also did chores,
cared for their animals, and sang or
played games until it was time to
sleep.
Hardships on the Trail
The travelers faced many
dangers and hardships.
People brought along
animals to stock their new
farms or ranches. It was
hard to control these
herds. Many travelers
suffered from injuries or
disease. The weather
could change suddenly.
The travelers feared
attacks by Native
Americans.
Jumping-Off Points
Missouri soon became the “jumping-off
place” for people going to the West. Our
state was easy to reach because of its
location on the Missouri and Mississippi
Rivers. So many people stopped here that
Missouri became known as the “Gateway
to the West.” Easterners would take a
steamboat on the Missouri River as far
west as Franklin or Independence.
Jumping-Off Points
Pioneers would prepare
for the overland part of
the journey in a
covered wagon. They
bought their supplies in
Franklin and
Independence. In the
trail towns, experienced
wagon leaders made a
living taking settlers
west.
Westward Trails
The Santa Fe Trail was an 800-mile
trail from Independence, Missouri to
Santa Fe, in what is now New
Mexico. Traders had used this route
since 1821 to trade with Mexico.
Travelers on the Oregon Trail and
some of the California Trail also set
off from Independence.
hardship
• A danger or difficulty
people endure in the
pursuit of a goal.
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