Oregon Trail Research Paper Outline

The Oregon Trail Nebraska was the first state to join the Union after the Civil War. This state is mostly known for its cattle, corn, and unicameral legislature. However, Nebraska is also known for its historic trails, which in the early years were carved out by pioneers, explorers and gold seekers into the western frontier. The history of Nebraska during the 1800s is unique because of the Oregon Trail; Nebraska played an important role in the Oregon Trail. Some people thought it was preposterous to travel the Oregon Trail to move into an unknown country. However, many people were fed up with the soil that was in the east and the increased population which often led to overpriced products. Consequently, many chose to go through the horrible

First, here is an explanation of what the Oregon Trail is and its purpose. The Oregon Trail is the most popular of all trails. This trail begins at Nebraska’s southern border with Kansas, just west of a small town called Odell. According to Julie Fanselow, “Many pioneers simply had the urge to push ever westward as their ancestors had done for generations from Europe to the New World” (Fanselow 2). However, the Federal Writers’ Projects wrote, “The Oregon Trail was south of the Platte, and most of its feeders from the Missouri reached the live near Grand Island; followed the south bank of the North Platte to Fort Laramie joining the Mormon Trail” (Federal

During this time the activity of the Civil War discouraged most easterners from traveling west. The trail was not traveled as much by pioneers during the war. However, during the war the transcontinental railroad project was in progress and by the time the war was over the project was completed. Blashfield wrote, “When the Civil War began in the East in 1861, most easterners gave up any plans to go west. Very few pioneers moved along the trail during the war years. Though the Oregon Trail was used for another twenty years, its place in U.S. history was over” (Blashfield 39). Though many made the effort to move to the west for a better life and search for gold. Blashfield explained, “Sadly, many pioneers who made the terrible journey did not find what they wanted in Oregon. Others, however, claimed land and settled in for the long work of making a better life. These pioneers helped establish the new state of Oregon in 1859, Washington and Montana in 1889, and Idaho and Wyoming in 1890” (Blashfield 39). The Central Pacific Railroads and the Union Pacific Railroad were established to provide modern transportation. The Oregon Trial was considered part of a historic past, and the image of covered wagons and heroic pioneers had become an American icon. This image is found throughout Nebraska’s highways and tells a story that is important to