Think about it If your family was moving across to country to a
place where there was NOTHING in the place where you were movingno
houses or stores or anythingwhat ten things would you definitely
pack and why? What qualities do you think a pioneer should have?
List three and explain.
Slide 3
Before and after
Slide 4
Where did they go? Most pioneers left their homes in the east
and headed westward to the Great Plains in the west The Great
Plains is a huge area of grassland between the Mississippi River
and the Rocky Mountains
Slide 5
Why move west? Rumors of gold! Thousands moved west to
California to mine for gold. Gold Fever! California Gold Rush!
49ers! Free land! Homestead Act: To those who were eligible, the
U.S. gave 160 acres of land. 21 year old heads of households who
agreed to build on and care for the land Adventure and escape! Many
moved simply to experience adventure and/or to escape from
situations that they didnt care for
Slide 6
Manifest Destiny Many believed that they were destined, or
meant to, expand the U.S. from Sea to Shining Sea
Slide 7
How did they travel? Wagons! Most families packed up their
valuables and their necessities in a covered wagon Groups of wagons
called wagon trains often traveled together Family members took
turns riding in wagons and walking beside the wagons Captains often
led these trains
Slide 8
What dangers did they face? Lack of food, water, and shelter
Lack of protection from the weather (floods, storms) Lack of
medical care Exposure to Native Americans who felt threatened by
the presence of settlers Conflict with other settlers- they
sometimes were competing for the same land and resources (water,
animals, trees). Sometimes small range wars broke out. These were
feuds between neighboring settlers.
Slide 9
What was life like on the prairie? Many arrived to find huge
empty areas of land Built homes (log or sod houses) Found sources
of water and foodsome lived near creeks or rivers while others had
to make windmills to pump water out of the ground Many were miles
from their nearest neighbors or trading postslonely Harsh weather
that they werent used to Different soil for raising crops and
animals
Slide 10
Slide 11
From a prairie woman It might seem a cheerless life, but there
were many compensations: the thrill of conquering a new country;
the wonderful atmosphere; the attraction of the prairie, which
simply gets into your blood and makes you dissatisfied away from
itThe pioneer spirit was continuous in our family
Slide 12
A sad part of history Many Native Americans were unfairly
driven from the lands that theyd lived on for many, many years
because the U.S. government claimed it. They were forced to move to
reservations. Herds of wild bison became nearly extinct as settlers
began to use them as sources of food and shelter
Slide 13
Eventually So many pioneers traveled west that Small cities and
towns popped up in the west Many families grew as they lived in the
west Immigrants moved into the west These westward areas were
eventually added as states which are much more populated today
Slide 14
More info Watch the BrainPop on this topic! Visit these sites!
http://www.thecaliforniatrail.com/gowest/
http://www.kidinfo.com/american_history/pioneers.html
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/ http://www.americanwest.com/
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/owfrm.htm Pioneer Life:
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001587/http://library.thinkquest.org/J001587/