Trailblazing West Flashcards
Who were Mountain Men?
A type of people who were
- Rugged
- Loners - but did also wrok in goups of about 20 men
- Adventurous
What are two examples of Mountain Men?
- Jedediah Smith
2. Jim Beckwourth
What were the main purposes of Mountain Men?
- Business
2. Explore new territories
What types of business did Mountain Men conduct?
- Fur Trade
A. Beaver pelts for hats
B. Buffalo hides for clothes - Land Speculation
A. People bought land out west to divide into smaller sections and resell for profit
B. Sell to farmers, manufacturers, etc.
Where did Mountain Men and eastern traders meet to exchange furs for wealth?
Independence, Missouri
What is Trailblazing?
Mountain Men found passages over Rocky Mountains which allowed settlers to move westward to the Oregon Territory.
Who found the South Pass?
Jedediah Smith
What is the Santa Fe Trail?
- A trail that leads from Missouri to Santa Fe (presently New Mexico)
- Opened by William Becknell, a hardware store owner, who wanted to make profit selling cloth and china
What is the name of the covered wagons used along the trails out west?
Conestoga wagons
What was the Purpose of the Oregon Trail?
- To settle the new Oregon Territory
- To convert natives to Christianity
- Land of Plenty
Who were the missionaries that were converting natives to Christianity?
Marcus and Narcissa Williams
How far is it from Independence, Missouri to Oregon?
2000 miles
What were some of the hardships faced along the Orgeon Trail?
- Accidents
- Malaria - “camp fever”
- Harsh weather causing travelers to get caught in the mountains and possible cannibalism
What is polygamy?
Allowing a man to have multiple wives
Who was Joseph Smith?
- Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Mormons)
- Killed in 1840 in Illinois by anti-Mormon mob.