Chapter 12 discusses the transportation boom of the mid-1800s. Pick one water route, road or railroad route that citizens followed westward, describe where it leads, the significance of the route and major towns that popped up on the way.
Have fun!
Mrs. Demmel
The national road was funded by the federal government in 1808. It was a land route that the citizens followed westward. It crossed the Appalachian Mountains at Cumberland, Maryland, thereby opening up the West. It then connected to Wheeling, Virginia, to Vandalia, Illinois, almost at the Mississippi River by 1850. By connecting these cities, it improved transportation for commerce along these routes. The National Road, tying the East and the West together, was a strong evidence of the nation's commitment to both expansion and cohesion, helping foster a national community.
ReplyDeleteThe Oregon Trail led to Willamette Valley, which is today the most populated region of Oregon state. The significance of the Oregon trail is that it started out as a fur trading route for the Native Americans, then transitioned to a Christian missionary route to the northwest during the Second Great Awakening. In the 1840's, travel along this route became heavier and heavier due to political turnovers and economic changes within the society, in a large scale migration called "The Oregon Road". Towns along the way included Independence, Weston, Fort Leavenworth, Atchison, St. Joseph, and Omaha.
ReplyDeleteI assume that you are referring to the map you posted in picking a route?
ReplyDeleteIn its early years of westward expansion, the Santa Fe Trail was used primarily as a commercial highway connecting Missouri and New Mexico [Santa Fe]. Cloth and wool were popular trade items as well pack mules, gold, and silver coins. The trail fostered both national and international trade between the Americans and the Mexicans, but during the Mexican-American War it became a way for the Mexican army to push into New Mexico. Its use by the military continued even after the conclusion of the war as the trail became a gateway to the new territories gained through the war. As the Gold Rush captured human endeavors, the Santa Fe Trail continued its use as a well-worn footpath for the movement west.
The Corps of Discovery Trail is one of the most significant trails in American History. It is the route that Lewis and Clark took in order to find a way to the Pacific Ocean. The trail ends in modern day Oregon. It is significant because was one of the first trails forged to the Pacific Ocean.
ReplyDeleteThe Erie Canal, the most famous canal of the era, was a water route that people used to move west to Indiana, Illinois, and territory further west. It started out as a link between New York City and the Great Lakes through the Hudson River, and a 364 mile long canal stretching from Albany to Buffalo. This route is significant for its success and impact. Major towns that popped up on the way, that became instant cities and important commercial centers were Utica, Rochester, and Buffalo.
ReplyDeleteThe Mormon trail was a significant trail of the westward movement. This trail went from Nauvoo, Illinois leading to Salt Lake City, which today is in Utah. This trail was mainly used by people who weren't going west for monetary gain but for religious purposes. Along this route the cities of Omaha and Salt Lake City. A major site along the way on this route was Independence Rock, named because travelers would want to pass this rock before July 4th so they would avoid winter snow.
ReplyDeleteThe Wilderness Trail, blazed by Daniel Boone in 1775, was an important route that Americans followed westward. This road started in Virginia and went through the Cumberland Gap, a pass through the Appalachian Mountains at the intersection of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, before arriving in Kentucky. The Wilderness Road was significant as it allowed for the settling of Kentucky, which became the fifteenth state to enter the Union in 1792. From 1775 to 1810, as many as many as 300,000 settlers followed this track westward. Later, the Wilderness Road was traveled by settlers going even farther west than Kentucky as it provided a key passage through the Appalachians to the American West. Three major communities created along the Wilderness Trail were Boonesboro, Harrod’s Town, and Benjamin Logan’s Town. All were originally part of the Transylvania Colony, which was created immediately after Boone blazed the trail and were in present day Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
DeleteFaragher, John M., Mari J. Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan H. Armitage. Out of Many: A History of the American People; AP Edition. Sixth ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2001. Print.
"The Wilderness Road." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
The California Trail also had an impact on the westward surge. It followed the general route of the Missouri River, similar to the Oregon Trail. As the name suggests, the California Trail leads directly to California. This trail supported over 200,000 gold-seekers and farmers who attempted to take advantage of California's gold fields and rich soils. Traveling by the cheapest form of transportation, the wagon, a mass migration passed through this trail to settle Californian lands. Some major cities resulting from the California Trail include Sacramento, Stockton, and routes to San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteThe Trail of Tears used mostly in the 1830s was a route of westward expansion, and although directly it moved Native Americans west, it opened up previously taken land to the west that was quickly settled by citizens. The trail started mostly in Georgia and Alabama and led to Oklahoma, where each tribal nation had set boundaries to live in. There were many trails that the Native Americans were led on, and some of the towns these trails passed were Memphis, Nashville, Springfield, Little Rock, and many others.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Spanish trail was a route from New Mexico west through Utah and eventually to Los Angeles. It is considered one of the most difficult of all trade routes ever established in the United States. First used by the Spanish explorers as early as the late 1500s. The Trail saw extensive use by pack trains from the 1830s until the mid-1850s. The trail was the most major trade route in the South West. Stretching approximately 1,200 miles many made the trip through the mountains carrying goods and supplies to the west coast and new settlers in search of a new life.
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ReplyDeleteThe Trail of Tears leading from Georgia to Oklahoma was the route that many native Americans such as the Creek and Cherokee followed west. At this time Andrew Jackson had just passed the Indian Removal Act, which allowed the federal government to trade indian lands for land from the Louisiana purchase. Technically the government could only negotiate with the Indians but they ignored that and used force. The trail passed through the cities of Memphis, Nashville and Little Rock.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the greatest project of the 19th century, the First Transcontinental Railroad was a 1,907 mile long railroad that connected San Francisco, California to Omaha, Nebraska and from there the rest of the Eastern railways. Started in 1863 and finished in 1869, it was split into two routes, the Union Pacific from Omaha and the Central Pacific from Sacramento. It had a huge impact on the country. Before construction finished, when people traveled by foot across western trails or by ship around the tip of South America, it took months to reach the West Coast from the East, but after, travel times were reduced to merely a week. This increased the amount of trade and migration from the East to West, dramatically increasing population in western states like California and fostering huge growth for the American economy. Although no towns or cities were settled directly on it, cities the railroad was built by, like San Francisco and Salt Lake City, prospered. However this was at the expense of local Indians, whose culture and way of life was destroyed by the growing populations and buffalo hunting. Ultimately, the First Transcontinental Railroad saw the creation of the American West and possibly the nation as a whole as it is known today.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Delete"First Transcontinental Railroad." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.
The Platte River formed an extensive natural water route west that allowed access to large regions of Colorado and Nebraska as well as parts of Wyoming. Perhaps more importantly, though, it became the basis for many of the western wagon trails, including both the Mormon and the Oregon trails. To the east, the waterway flows into the Missouri River; to the west, it branches into the North and South Platte rivers, which end in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming and Colorado respectively. The river was originally used as a route by fur traders, and America's expansions during the 1840s lead to an abundance of settlers that followed its waters. Some settled along the way, forming cities that today include Omaha, Ft. Kearney, Grand Island, and North Platte. As American continued to expand, the Pony Express, the Transcontinental Telegraph, and the First Transcontinental Railroad all followed the Platte River for a significant portion of their westward length. This river was significant primarily because of the way in which it guided settlers west through multiple trails and later allowed for the broadening of American communication as new technology emerged.
ReplyDeleteThe Butterfield Overland Mail Trail was a road operated by the Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Company. The trail carried mail and passengers from Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco, California. Some major towns along this router were: Los Angeles, Fort Yuma, Tucson, Franklin, Fort Chadbourne, Colbert's Ferry, Fort Smith, and Tipton. This trail vastly increased the communication between the East and the West and was primarily used by settlers, miners, and businessmen traveling west, as it was one of the primary trails going west through the South.
ReplyDeleteThe Snake River was in important part of American expansion westward. It starts in western Wyoming in Yellowstone National Park and zigzags it's way north into the Columbia River which eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean. It was a significant part of history as part of Lewis and Clark's journey followed the Snake River. Also, a major portion of the Oregon Trail, a significant pioneer road, followed the Snake River. Significant cities that are now along the Snake River include Idaho Falls, Idaho and Tri-cities, Washinton.
ReplyDeleteThe Gila Trail was another important route which people followed throughout the flourishing westward expansion movement. The trail's origins lie in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and it follows the Rio grande and Gila Rivers. Crossing the southwestern desert Areas in Arizona and California, it comes to an end at San Diego. Essentially, this trail was a route most famous to those who were known as forty-niners, individuals who sought gold in California. Although many groups were attacked by Apache Indians along the way, expansion toward the west continued. The trail itself, proved vital throughout the Mexican War, as well, when Lieutenant General Stephen Watts Kearny marched his army and forces across the west in 1846. Some major towns or cities that popped up along the route were El Paso, Lordsburg, Yuma, Zuni, and Tucson.
ReplyDeleteThe Missouri River was another important path of travel during the mid 1800's. It is located at the mouth of many important trails, including the Santa Fe and Corps of Discovery Trails. The river follows the path of the Corps of Discovery Trail, providing a constant source of water for travelers, and at times a faster method of travel. The river also served as a great trade route between the Northwest and Missouri, helping connect the northern frontier to the rest of the United States.
ReplyDeleteThe Mississippi river was one of the most important water routes in America. It runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It was an important because it helped farmers transport their wares. At the beginning of Americana colonization the Mississippi was one of the main fighting points because it was so important. One of the important towns included New Orleans which was originally founded by the French and even when it was taken over by the Americans it had laws that reflected both. It was extremely important because of its closeness to the river and its tactical position.
ReplyDeleteone important trail was the Butterfield Overland Mail Trail. It was a trail that stage coaches traveled on to deliver mail and people from Memphis, and St. Louis to San Francisco, California. The trail traveled through Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Baja California. Aaron Brown was given the right to open this over land mail service to the west by congress in 1857. It was much easier that the shipping process across the Gulf of Mexico and through the Panama Canal.
ReplyDeleteThe Snake River is the thirteenth longest river in North America and the tenth most important watershed in America comes from this river. The Snake River originates from Jackson Hole Valley and flows west through the Continental Divide with tributaries including Owyhee River, Boise River, Payette River, and Salmon River. The Snake River and Columbia River then converge together in Lake Wallula. The Lewis and Clark Expedition used the Sake River to navigate out of the Rocky Mountains and to reach the Columbia River which would eventually lead the expedition to the Pacific Ocean. By the middle of the 19th century the majority of the Oregon Trail followed the Snake River. Snake Fort and Fort Boise popped up along this river as well. In one place the Oregon Trail crossed the Snake River, present day Ontario, Oregon sprung up. The Oregon Navigation Steam Company at Fort Boise used Snake River to provide freight services for the Boise and Owyhee mines. By the 1870's wheat was being shipped on the Snake River. The use of the river for commercial purposes promoted the growth of the towns which sprung up alongside, leaving them stable enough to last to present day. The Snake River has been very important in contributing to westward expansion and supporting the development which occurred along the way .
ReplyDelete"The West." PBS. PBS, 2001. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
DeleteOne significant trail that led to the west was the Southern Emigration Trail. It led from Mesilla, New Mexico, to Los Angeles. It followed the Santa Fe Trail, and then continued south and west until it reached New Mexico. This trail was significant because pioneers could travel the trail year round, as it didn't go through any high mountain passes. However, they did have to deal with the glaring heat, a lack of water, and two desert crossings.
ReplyDeleteThe Corps of Discovery Trail is a historically significant trail.Lewis and Clark created it on their travels to the Pacific Ocean. The trail ends in modern day Oregon. This trail is significant because it was the first trail established that led to the pacific ocean, and was seeped in history by the efforts and accomplishments of Lewis and Clark.
ReplyDeleteA significant pioneer route was the Applegate Trail. It went through Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon. It was supposed to be a less dangerous way to get to Oregon. It was founded by the part of the Applegate family on their way from Missouri to Oregon. It was significant because it was a safer version of the Oregon trail.
ReplyDeleteA route that i choose from the picture was the Corps of Discovery trail, the reason that it has great historical significance is because it was the path that Lewis and Clark took to discover the upper western side of the United States. Important citys that the trail runs through and encounters are Sioux Falls South Dakota and Floyd Iowa. The trail basically starts in St. Louis and ends at Fort Clatsop.
ReplyDeleteThe Southern Emigrant Trail was a land trail and was traveled by American immigrants from Eastern part of the U.S. and the trail lead into California. Many were in prospect for the California Gold Rush in 1849. Unlike some other western trails, pioneer wagons could travel yearly, and the mountain passes were not blocked by snow. The trail passed through New Mexico territory, and usually water supply was an issue due to dry climate.
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