Why Go?• Panic of 1837- Huge depression leaves

farmers broke

• Free land- Up to a square mile

• Fertile soil, nicer weather, fewer diseases and insects (especially mosquitoes)

When to Leave?

• Must leave in early May. Usually took 5 months (May – Sept.)

• Grass needs time to grow in the Great Plains- food for animals

• Need to beat winter in the Rockies

Who Went?• Missionaries and mountain men (fur

trappers) go first• Farmers follow• Merchants and speculators come last

Facts• 2000 miles long• Death Rate= 10%

(disease and accidents)• People walked; wagons

for supplies only• Usually took 5 months,

May – September• Indians generally helpful-

they wanted trade• Most used the SOUTH

PASS and were escorted by mountain men

-Like Jedediah Smith and Jim Bridger