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Chapter 16.4 and 5From Sea to Shining SeaAs America continued to
grow in populationAmericans continued to travel to new areas in
North America.
With new areas being founded, new Americans are born.
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The Fur TradersWhen Americans went Northwest, they found 2
things:Cold and wet weatherAnimals that had adapted to their
environmentBeaversBuffaloDeer
Each animal had thicker furs than the same animal in other parts
of the USA
What does this mean???More fur = more $$$
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The Mountain Men Move InMountain men American pioneers who moved
to upper NW in search of fur. Moved specifically to Oregon
Territory
John Jacob AstorStarted largest fur company called American Fur
Company.
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How did Mountain Men live?Live in the wildernessHunt animal and
kill it
Live with Indian tribesGet help in hunting animalsMountain men
get the furIndians get the meat
Trade with fur companies at yearly meetingsCalled rendezvous
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Oregon FeverFrom 1810 to 1840Population in Oregon Territory grew
quickly
People flocked her for a chance of a new life
Traveled along what became known as the Oregon Trail2,000 miles
across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains
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Travel on the Oregon TrailVery hard!Took about 6 months to get
out to Oregon!
Went out in large wagon trainsGroups of families in wagons
About 1 in 4 travelers died on way to Oregon
So why try to get to Oregon??
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Oregon
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Oregon
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Oregon
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Oregon
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Other travelers take a different routeSome travelers came off
the Oregon Trail to follow a Southern RouteCalled the California
TrailWhy?Shorter!
Problem:You have to cross a mountain range called the Sierra
Nevada
Goal:Make it across before the 1st snowfall!
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The Donner PartySpring 1846Left Oregon Trail to cross the Sierra
Nevada Mts.
Problem: They get lost!
Fall 1846Starts snowing in August Try to build housing to make
it through the winter!
Problem:Theres not enough food
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February 1847A rescue party finds what is left of the Donner
Party Started with 87Now there is only 45 alive
Weird fact:There were only 8 graves.
What happened to the rest of the bodies?
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Others who did make it to CaliforniaJohn SutterSwiss immigrant
who traveled across America to California
1839Built a colony called Sutters Fort
Today = Sacramento, CA
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George Caitlin and Alfred Jacob MillerMoved to California to
draw and paint the American West
Remember: Pictures are only for rich people
This is the only way to know what it looked like.
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What did they paint? Buffaloand lots of it!
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Review QuestionsWhat are Mountain Men?
Who was John Jacob Astor?
What was the Oregon Trail?
Who were the Donner Party?
