- Introduction
Westward Expansion
- Religious Settlement
- Western Expansion
- Practice
- Summary & Tasks
Westward Expansion
Fur traders preceded the emigrants across the prairies, and now became guides and Indian fighters, shepherding the wagon trains across the plains. Fort Bridger on the Oregon Trail, established in 1843, was named after one of the most famous fur traders, Jim Bridger (1804-1881). Bridger was one of the first white discoverers of the Great Salt Lake.
"California or Bust!"- such were the cries heard by settlers heading towards California in the mid 1800s. Beginning in the 1830s, the American perspective of the West (land beyond the Mississippi River) had changed. Previously viewed as a wild, unruly place, now Americans were inundated with stories of a lush landscape and fertile land. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Americans packed their belongings and made the long trek westward.
Read about this Westward Expansion by using information provided at the link below. Note-you will read several consecutive pages at this link. Stop when you finish reading the "MANIFEST DESTINY" page. As you read, work on 9.01 Westward Expansion. Save your work as you will continue to work on the assignment with the next section.
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An emigrant party on the way to California. The gold rush miners told stories of great finds of gold. In 1849, J. R. Stoddard said he had found a lake high in the mountains whose shores were covered with gold. Stoddard promised to lead a group of men back to that lake. But the rumor of his discovery spread. More than 1000 miners joined in the party, but in the end they never found the mythical gold lake. (Discovery Education)
Did You Know?
Do you think you have what it takes to strike gold? Test your skills at the Strike it Rich! link.
