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Links of Interest:
(1841-1845) (250,000 square miles of disputed land between U.S., Britain, and Native Americans) “Lewis and Clark planted a flag in the Oregon Territory four decades ago but to truly own it the U.S. needs settlers. In 1842 the United States Army sends a lieutenant from the topographical corp, John C. Fremont. His mission - map a route from Missouri to Oregon that wagon trains of pioneers can safely travel. He’s never been west of the Mississippi river, so he turns to the most skilled guide on the frontier, Kit Carson. Over the course of five months Fremont and Carson lead some three dozen men more than 2,000 miles through treacherous terrain. On October 24, 1843 Fremont and Carson finally reach the Oregon Territory. The path they chart becomes famous – the Oregon Trail. It paves the way for 400,000 settlers to move west in the decades to come opening a new frontier and strengthening the United States claim to the Northwest.” Source: The Men Who Built America: FrontiersmenThis 2018 four-episode, high-quality documentary offered on Amazon Prime or the History Channel is well worth watching. The episode titled "Empire of Liberty" covers the time period from 1836-1850. It includes Davy Crockett in the Battle for the Alamo, Texas' win for independence from Mexico, the Oregon Trail and the California Gold Rush. |
