Trashket-ball
Trails to the West
Question
• Who were some of the first Americans in the
West?
• [HINT: Fur traders and trappers]
Answer
• Mountain Men
Question
• Who created one of the largest fur businesses,
the American Fur Company?
Answer
• John Jacob Astor
Question
• Name this famous Mountain Man who
explored the Rocky Mountains.
• [HINT: He was attacked by a grizzly bear]
Answer
• Jedediah Smith
Question
• This famous African-American Mountain Man
discovered an important pass to California’s
Sacramento Valley.
• [HINT: The pass went through the Sierra
Nevada Mountain range and was named after
him.]
Answer
• James P. Beckwourth
Question
• This article of clothing was made from water
repellent beaver fur and was popular in the
United States and Europe
Answer
• The High Hat
Question
• This was a 2,000 mile path that opened up the
West to many settlers
• [HINT: It took 6 months to complete it]
Answer
• The Oregon Trail
Question
• This was another important path West. It
followed an ancient trading route first used by
Native Americans.
• [HINT: It took a Southern route]
Answer
• The Santa Fe Trail
Question
• Where did the Oregon Trail begin?
Answer
• Independence, Missouri
Question
• How did most people travel West?
Answer
• They Walked!
Question
• What church was founded in 1830 in New
York?
Answer
• The Mormon Church
Question
• Who was the Founder/1st Leader of the
Mormon Church
Answer
• Joseph Smith
Question
• After Joseph Smith was murdered, who
became the new Leader of the Mormon
Church?
Answer
• Brigham Young
Question
• What is polygamy and who practiced it?
Answer
• Polygamy: Marriage to more than one wife
• Practiced by the Mormons
• By the 1850’s Mormons were persecuted for
their practice of polygamy.
Question
• This book contained all of the religious
teachings of the Mormon Church
Answer
• The Book of Mormon
Question
• Where do the Mormons ultimately settle?
Answer
• Utah
Question
• Name 3 specific challenges that settlers faced
on the Oregon Trail
Answer
• Geography
– Crossing Mountains
– Crossing Rivers
• Disease
– Cholera
• Accidents
– Gun shot wounds
– Falling from the Wagon
• Weather
– Snow
– Hail
Question
• Why did the Mormons settle out West?
Answer
• Religious Freedom
• Murder of Joseph Smith
Question
• Describe a typical Mountain Man’s
appearance
Answer
• Raccoon skin hat, leather clothes, rifle, knife,
container for black powder