Chapter 1 = Oregon Territory

Chapter 2 = Reasons to go

Chapter 3 = Distance

Chapter 4 = Loading the wagon

Chapter 5 = Crossing water

Chapter 6 = Dangers on the trail

Chapter 7 = A night on the trail

Chapter 8 = Native Americans

Chapter 9 = Important Landmarks

Chapter 10 = Setting up home

Oregon Territory was a part of the United States. It was made up of the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming. Both England and America wanted the land, but didn't know which country the land should go to. Forts were built in Oregon Territory for both countries. Eventually, the countries agreed that whoever had the most people living in Oregon Territory would get to claim the land. The Oregon Trail helped many Americans get to Oregon Territory so the land would be part of the United States. Oregon finally became a state in 1859.

Chapter One = Oregon Territory

Chapter Two =Reasons to Go

People went to Oregon for many reasons. One reason why people went was because it was green and had rich soil, which made it good for farming. Farmers were able to have more land to grow crops. The more crops they grew, the more money they could make. People also went because there was more space in Oregon Territory, which meant they had more room to build homes. Others, like the Mormons, traveled for a place where they had religious freedom. During the Gold Rush, people went on the California Trail in hopes of getting rich. Many people traveled the trail for these reasons to have a better life.

Chapter Three = Distance

The Oregon Trail was very long. It was about 2,000 miles long. The distance you would normally travel in a day is 10-15 miles. If there was rain, you would only travel about one mile on the trail. You would normally leave in late March or early April. The Mormon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and California Trail were also some of the trails people traveled on for different reasons. The main one the pioneers took to the Oregon Territory was the Oregon Trail. Traveling to Oregon today would only take about 3 days in a car or a couple of hours in an airplane.

Chapter Four = Loading the wagon

There were many things you would have to load in your wagon for the long journey west. You would bring 200 pounds of bread, flour and crackers. You would also bring 100 pounds of bacon, 12 pounds of coffee, and 12 pounds of sugar. You would choose to bring tea because it is a substitute for water. Another thing to bring is clothing for the year after they arrive. You could bring a few cattle for dry beef. Medicines were another thing you would bring. Water was also very important for the trip. Two barrels were for the humans and two were for the livestock. There are so many things that you would have to bring to survive the trip.

Chapter Five = Crossing water

Water crossing could have been very dangerous when it was too deep and too fast to ride on a raft. There were a couple different ways to cross water. When you would come upon a river, you would send scouts to look for spots to cross. If the water was too deep, you would build rafts made of fallen trees. Rafts were built to cross with your wagon on it, but if the river was fast moving, you would tie ropes and rub wax on the wagon and float it across. All things, even sick people or injured people, would be removed from the wagon. When water was shallow, you would take your wagon across the water and the parents carried heavy items such as children or supplies.