Trappers and Pioneers on the Oregon-California Trail: Inspiring the 19th century cultural identity of the American West.

Abstract

The Western frontier of America in the 19th century represented a semi-magical place symbolizing opportunity, material progress and freedom, among other things. With every step towards success and settlement, this myth became a reality for many Americans. Success stories of poor Americans making good in the West became prominent in not only schoolbooks, but also newspapers and fiction. In this paper I will look at how the West as a settlement came to be. This means I will go back to the early 19th century, the time when fur trappers made the bold move West, paving the road for mid-19th century pioneers, looking to settle a new America. In this paper I will interpret and examine both diaries of trappers, pioneers on the trail and other related sources that help give us a broader view on the westward movement as a whole.