Wagon Trains and Prairie

The expansion of American citizens was huge and outstanding. They wanted more and more from a new land, and, indeed, they knew how to achieve it. In search of new settling they traveled from place to place, all way long till they found a perfect spot. They checked new, not discovered lands and made a decision to stay or to go on and on. The countryside and surroundings were breathtaking and not habitable, so pleasant to the eye, One couldn’t help himself and stayed. Some spots on the other hand were particularly difficult to habit due to the weather conditions, soil which was difficult to grow plants on, hostile and harsh background. Nonetheless the urge to see, explore, and know more was irresistible.

In 1800 the western boundary of the United States was immerse and spread to Mississippi River, the land was affluent and rich with natural resources.  This year is quite remarkable, Louisiana belonged to France, Napoleon whose position was unquestionable was about to become a country’s emperor.  Americans feared his strength and influence, they knew he might block their attempts to explore westward.

While Lewis and Clark were crossing the plains and mountains of the American Northwest. Another expedition was exploring those of the Southwest. The leader of the expedition was a young lieutenant in the American army named Zebulon M. Pike. In November 1806, Pike and his men reached the Rocky Mountains where the city of Pueblo, Colorado, now stands . The following spring Pike traveled further into the mountains, into lands that were then ruled by Spain. Eventually he was arrested by Spanish soldiers. Although the Spaniards treated him with courtesy. They took away his notes and papers and sent him back to the United States. Pike is remembered today for two things. One is Pikes Peak, a high mountain; Colorado which he first sighted on November 15, 1806, and which is named after him. The other is for his opinion that the entire central region of North America between the Mississippi and the Rockies was little better than a desert and "incapable of cultivation." For years after Pike's journey this area was described on maps as "The Great American Desert." But both Pike and the mapmakers were wrong . By the 1870s improved seeds and better methods of cultivation were making it possible for farmers to turn these lands into one of the richest gram-growing areas in the world; Missouri, a town on the Mississippi River. From Independence they followed a twisting trail of about 2,000 miles across plains and mountains to the mouth of the Columbia River. This overland route to the Pacific coast became known as the Oregon Trail. The wheels of the wagons that traveled along it made deep ruts. These ruts can still be seen in dry areas of the American West today. But the Oregon Trail was never a single trail. It was more a collection of trails, all heading in the same general direction across North America.

The situation changed when Napoleon was at war with Britain, he needed money so he sold Louisiana for 15.000 dollars to American government. This purchase was authorized by the president Thomas Jefferson.  The president had plans towards this still unknown piece of land, he wanted to send the expedition and explore it, the aim was to find relatively short and safe route across North America to the Pacific Ocean. It was led by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis. We have to agree that They failed and didn’t find the route they were looking for, however, they proved that such a long journey was possible. It lasted months. The land beyond Louisiana – Oregon was a stronghold of British and Americans. At that time Alaska was ruled by Russia and California by Spain. Oregon was so attractive spot that thousand of thousands wanted to go and settle there regardless of hardships and against all odds. The first trip to Oregon was a sailing one – it was very long, took months, in 1843 the ‘Oregon fever’ broke out. It came to many parts of the United States.  It didn’t discourage the travelers, they wanted to live in better conditions, so help they God, they succeeded. They truly believed it was risk worth taking.  In 1844 James.K.Polk the new President of the United States declared ‘… Oregon is clear and unquestionable …’.

Most of the settlers who traveled to Oregon made the journey in four- wheeled wagons. A group of these wagons  traveling together was called a “wagon train.” A wagon train usually consisted of about twenty- five wagons, each with a canvas cover to protect its contents from the weather. Seen from a distance, these covers made the wagons look like ships sailing across the  sea of grass. Because of this, people often called wagons "prairie schooners". A schooner was a type of sailing ship. Each wagon could carry a load of between 2 and 2 and 1/2 tons and was pulled by a team of either mules or oxen. Settlers argued fiercely about which animals were better. Some claimed that mules were faster and tougher than oxen. Others argued that oxen were stronger than mules and easier to control. Some people believe that the phrase "as stubborn as a mule" became part of the English language at this time. Cost usually settled the arguments. A settler could buy three oxen for the price of only one mule. For this reason  oxen were used mare often than any other animals to pull the wagons that traveled the Oregon Trail.

In 1846 the war with Mexico seemed to have no end, it spread till Texas which from 1830 was ruled by Mexico, in 1836 Texas became an independent republic. The troops led by the general Sam Hudson won a battle of San Jacinto. In 1846 the Mexico City – the capital of Mexico was occupied by American troops. The truce and cease fire were signed in February 1848, the war was over. Mexico gave up rights to the following lands: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado.

Bibliography:

1.      The Norton Anthology of American Literature.

2.      A History of American Literature, A. Grey

3.      An Outline of American History.

4.      An Illustrated History of the USA.