Manifest Destiny Westward Movement Contributions

447 Words2 Pages
There are explorers, traders, and mountain men that have contributed toward westward movement in the United States, positively and negatively. The first ones who did were Louis and Clark, who led their expedition toward the Louisiana Territory, uncharted at the time. They came back with detailed notes and maps, which contributed positively since the west no longer was a mystery as to what was out there, making people more confident to move with information to guide them. Next were the Astorians who also made a positive impact toward westward movement. John Astor wanted his group of men to be able to pass the Columbia River in Oregon to set up a fur-trading company. A group of them got stuck at Snake River, and demonstrated to pioneers using water routes would not be easy in order to get the Pacific. Robert Stuart, while leading another group back found a gap, called the South Pass in the Rocky Mountains where wagons could slip by to get to Oregon. This benefitted travelers who wanted to move to there, as the route would be an easier passage than many other options. In addition, Pike and Long made a contribution to westward movement, although it was negative. Pike labeled the middle part of the US as "the Great American Desert." The name stuck, and it increased American citizens' fears of traveling through a hot sand dune. Long made it even worse with him exploring what is now present day OK, NE, CO, and KS. He claimed it was unfit for human habitation, thus further delaying movement with people believing him. There were also many mountain men who discovered important and trekked important things. Jedediah Smith rediscovered the Rocky Mountains passageway, and made it widely public since it wasn't before. This helped many travelers on their way west since the Rocky Mountains were difficult to get past. Joe Walker blazed the trail to California with a

More about Manifest Destiny Westward Movement Contributions

Open Document