Name:______________________

Date:___________________

Oregon Trail Scavenger Hunt

Directions: Open the Oregon Trail scavenger hunt PowerPoint on your
computer. Click on each of the links and read the listed paragraphs to
learn about the Oregon Trail. Record your answers to the questions on
this handout.
Website #1: http://www.america101.us/trail/routewest.html
Read: The Route West
1. What are three reasons why the Oregon Trail was more popular than traveling by sea?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What river does the Trail follow until it crosses the mountains? ________________________
Website #2: http://www.historyglobe.com/ot/otmap1.htm
Click and Read: Independence Rock
3. Why is this landmark called the Great Register of the Desert?_________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Click and Read: Fort Laramie
4. What was the purpose of Fort Laramie? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Website #3: http://www.nps.gov/oreg/learn/historyculture/history2.htm
Read: Narcissa Whitman
5. Why are Narcissa Whitmans writings important?____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. What caused the tension between the Cayuse Tribe and the Whitmans? __________________
______________________________________________________________________________