Americam West 1.2 Flashcards
What was the ecenomic crises like in America before the mas migration west?
-bank east had collapsed. Wages cut by 40% caused high unemployment
What was Oregon like?
It had rich farmland.
The sea route there was expensive ($300) and ling(1 year). Sierra Nevada mountains formed challenge for overland migration
What was the Oregon trail?
A way for migrants to cross mountains, through gullies. Published in 1825.
By 1836, to married missionary couples wanted to convert plain Indians to Christmas used trail
Ended in 1869, when it was replaced with transcontinental railroad
How did the government help migration to Oregon?
In 1841 Oregon became established. Provided $30,000 for map publication from Fremont guidebooks from his travels
How did the California gold rush of 1849 affect Oregon migration
Good was extremely popular,poeple migrated from around the world, caused by 1855 population reaching 300,000 in Oregon.
So prospectors settled, needing to buy equipment, attracted shopkeepers. Increasing there economy.
Although caused problems with law and order. Aswell as new migrants being enslaved or murdered
Who were the donner party?
A group of 300 poeple, in 60 wagons. Led by dinner brothers. In may 1846 started Oregon trail.
There group consisted of more elderly
, women and children than usual
What happened to the donner party in may 1846
-reached fort bridges
Groups split up. 80 migrants, include dinner brothers tried shortcut, rotten by Hastings, a man that never tried the trail himself. (cut 550km from OG route) It had plenty grass and water.
Why went wrong with the Hastings shortcut with the donner party,
It caused a delay. Route was not marked out, was rugged and rocky
Had to find spaces for spots to cross river(usually was free). Also there was stretches of desert. So no water or grass for livestock. Which car. Caused arguments
By mid October they had reached mountains.
What happened to the donner party once reaching Sierra Nevada mountains?
In November. The oxen got exhausted from travels. Killing them during the harsh winter. Food ran out.
In 15 December first migrant died. By February. When rescuers came, Half original 80 migrants were alive, the other half were eaten.
