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.