Oregon Trail Review

Vocabulary

A written record of what someone has seen, done, or thought.

Diary

A person who is among the first to

explore an area not known to them.

Pioneer

Flat, rolling land covered with tall

grasses. Prairie

A route that pioneers used in their move

west. The route began in Missouri and ended

in Oregon. Oregon Trail

A community in Missouri that marked the beginning of the

Oregon Trail. Independence

An area along the top of the Rocky Mountains where rivers flow either

east or west. Continental Divide

A huge rock that pioneers hoped to reach by July 4th. Many pioneers scratched their

names on this rock. Independence Rock

A stop pioneers made where they

could seek protection from or trade with Indians. It was also a good

place to rest animals and restock

supplies.

Fort Laramie

A source of carbonated, bubbly

water. Soda Springs

The first major landmark on the

Oregon Trail. It was a tall column of red

rock. Chimney Rock

Important Content

What was the best time of the year for pioneers to travel

West? May

What did pioneers use to travel west

on the Oregon Trail? Wagons

What was the best animal to pull the

wagons going West? Oxen

How long was the Oregon Trail in

miles? 2,000 miles

What was the name for a group of

covered wagons that went together

on the long trail West called?

Wagon Trains

About how many months did it take

the pioneers to make the trip west? 5-6 months

What was the name of the mountain range that the pioneers had to

cross? Rocky Mountains

What replaced the use of wagons in heading west?

Trains

What are some major problems

pioneers faced on the Oregon Trail? Broken Wagon Wheel

Rain

Crossing a river

No roads/bumpy ride

Lots of mud

Dust

Sickness

What are some items that pioneers needed on their trip

out west? Ax

Tools

Water

Pots, pans, bowls, cups

Flour, sugar, coffee

Shovel

Tents

Trunk

oxen

Landmarks

An area along the top of the Rocky Mountains where rivers flow either

east or west. Continental Divide

A huge rock that pioneers hoped to reach by July 4th. Many pioneers scratched their

names on this rock. Independence Rock

A stop pioneers made where they

could seek protection from or trade with Indians. It was also a good

place to rest animals and restock

supplies. Fort Laramie

The first major landmark on the

Oregon Trail. It was a tall column of red

rock. Chimney Rock

A source of carbonated, bubbly

water.

Soda Springs