Friday, January 10, 2014

Lesson 91: The Oregon Country

     During the Age of Reform, United States citzens began to expand westward.  They believed it was their right to bring "liberty and democracy" to the West.  The Oregon Country, located deep within the west, was considered a prosperous land for new beginnings and wealth.  Many people traveled to this place with massive wagon caravans led by wagon masters along what was commonly referred to as the Oregon Trail.
     The journey to Oregon could take up to six months time and many people died along the way.  Although, not by marauding natives as some films and books tell.  The "Indians" that lived in the West more often were seen helping guide these great journeys.
     Oregon was shared by the U.S. and Britain at the time, but what was considered "Manifest Destiny" by many, could not be held back.  The Americans believed it was entirely their right to expand into this new land, even though it was equally the right of the British.  Although England was not happy with the new settlers in "their" territory, they could do nothing about it.

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