Westward expansion trails

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In the history of the United States, American pioneers built overland trails throughout the 19th century, especially between 1840 and 1847 as an alternative to sea and railroad transport. These settlers began to settle much of North America west of the Mississippi River as part of the overland mass settlements of the mid-19th century. Settlers emigrating from the eastern United States did so with various motives, among them economic incentives and escaping religious persecution, via routes such as the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. After the end of the Mexican–American War in 1848, vast newly acquired territories again encouraged mass settlement. Legislations like the Donation Land Claim Act and significant events like the California gold rush further encouraged settlers to travel overland to the north and west. Two major wagon-based transportation networks, one typically starting in Missouri and the other in the Mexican province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, served the majority...

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