Oregon Trail: Superhighway to the Pacific Northwest

Starting in the 1830s the Oregon Trail served as the major route for settlers bound for the Pacific Northwest.

Start with secondary sources

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Then use primary sources

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What role did the Oregon Trail play in the contest between the United States and Britain to gain control over Pacific Northwest frontier?
How did the length and conditions of the trail affect the settlers themselves?
How did these conditions limit the numbers and types of people who were able to complete the trip and settle in the Northwest?
How can the experiences of individuals and families be used to tell the story of the Oregon Trail?
How can the Oregon trail be used to interpret and explain the settlement of the Pacific Northwest?
Consider other possibilities for historical questions as you analyze and interpret this topic.