Notes on the Oregon Trail, the Donner Party, and the Texas Revolution

The Oregon Trail was not a single route but a network of multiple trails heading west.
Pioneers faced numerous challenges, including disease (dysentery), hunger, and danger from wildlife (e.g., snake bites).

Dysentery: A disease causing severe diarrhea, often resulting from contaminated water sources.
- Risk arises when travelers use rivers as sanitation and drinking sources.
The dangers of traveling led to a decrease in health and survival as settlers ditched essentials along the way.

A significant event in history illustrating the perils of the trails.
Comprised of a group of approximately 87 pioneers trying to reach California.
They suffered from misinformation about the trails and left too late in the season to cross snowy mountains safely.
Outcome: Caught in a heavy snowstorm (22 feet of snow) and resorted to cannibalism for survival.
- Some group members left to seek help but ended up in similar dire straits.
- They may not have actually run out of food before resorting to cannibalism.

American settlers frequently clashed with Native American nations, particularly the Plains Indians, during westward expansion.
Settlers often viewed Native tribes as obstacles to their goals.
Additionally, settlers encountered Hispanic populations in the Southwest, facing similar prejudices.

Manifest Destiny: Belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.
Mexico, having gained independence from Spain in 1821, struggled to manage its vast territory, leading to American intrusion and settlement.
By 1823, around 3,000 immigrants (often referred to as Texians) disregarded Mexican laws regarding slavery and immigration.

Tensions escalated as Mexican officials outlawed American immigration and slavery in 1830.
By 1835, Texians far outnumbered native Tejanos.
Fears of President Santa Anna freeing slaves and making Texians slaves sparked rebellion.
- Texians sought independence from Mexico to secure their property rights.

Battle of the Alamo: 1836 siege where Texians were defeated, igniting a hunger for revenge.
Battle of San Jacinto: Brief battle lasting 18 minutes, resulting in a decisive Texian victory and capture of Santa Anna.
- Led to Santa Anna's agreement to recognize Texas independence.

Texas became known as the Lone Star Republic in 1836, following its independence from Mexico.
The new republic established a constitution that legalized slavery and restricted free blacks.
Texians overwhelmingly favored annexation into the USA, but President Andrew Jackson hesitated, fearing it would escalate tensions over slavery and potentially provoke war with Mexico.