(40 POINTS!)


1.) Why did people move west?


2.) How did they get there?


3.) What was the journey like?


4.) What did they bring with them?


5.) What was life like at their new home?


6.) How would you describe California culture?


7.) List THREE things you leaned from this lesson.


8.) List TWO things from this lesson that you feel are very important.


9.) List ONE question you have from this lesson.



Many Americans believe the United States was destined to stretch across the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This idea was known as Manifest Destiny. Even though many thought that moving westward was best for the nation, they were hesitant to make the trip themselves. If living in the West was so difficult, why would anyone want to go? One reason was land. Americans highly valued owning property and the West had a lot of cheap land to offer. With the Homestead Act of 1862, settlers could even get free land if they lived and farmed there. Another reason for moving west was gold. In 1848, James Marshall was building a mill in California. He saw gold flecks in the water running off the mill’s wheel. This discovery at Sutter’s Mill led to the California Gold Rush in 1849. Stories of the riches in California traveled eastward, and people, especially young men, rushed to the West in hopes of striking it rich. These men became known as “forty-niners.”


As you saw in the introduction, migration was not easy. Pioneers faced many dangers. After six rough months, they usually arrived at their destination. However, the end of travel brought little relief. They now faced the hard work of homebuilding and land clearing. Neighbors could be miles away. Water was difficult to obtain. Families put money together to build schools and churches, but often only years after settlement.


Two common routes west were the Oregon Trail and the Santa Fe Trail. Oregon had trouble attracting settlers until the 1830s. Both Britain and the United States claimed the territory. Neither side wished for war. In 1846, the countries settled their dispute. Though Americans demanded "54-40 or Fight!" U.S. President James Polk accepted the boundary at the 49th parallel. The Santa Fe Trail began as a trading route between Mexicans and Americans. Pioneers followed it to find new settlements or to seek gold.


In 1859, Daniel A. Jenks made the drawing above. Imagine the difficulty of pulling and securing wagons on the steep mountain trails. You can see the settlers camped in wagons or tents, exposed to weather and wildlife.


Because of the lack of support from doctors, schools, and churches in the early days of pioneer life, settlers felt extremely hostility from Native Americans who saw the settlers as a threat. They also suffered harsh weather, theft, and starvation. Settlers treated their own illnesses as best they could. Unfortunately, death was a regular part of pioneer life.