Reasons for Moving
People went on the journey westward for many reasons. For example, it could have been for religious resons like Manifest Destiny and spreading their religion. Financial reasons like escaping debt, starting businesses, or raising a farm with fertile soil. Another reason was just for the sense of fun and adventure. Taking the Oregon Trail was not an easy decision because of all the dangers on the trail and the willingness to go on.
Maifest Destiny
As Americans constantly expanded westward, made the nation to think of extending the nation all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Once Texas and California became part of the United States, the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that God wanted the United States to extend all the way to the Pacific, became more popular. Even the government supported this idea. This was because the U.S. still shared the Oregon Territory with Britain and the more American citizens in the land would give the U.S. a better chance of securing it. As curiosity began to grow in the United States of what the West was like, so did the popularity of Manifest Destiny.
The idea of Manifest Destiny was encouraged by the United States government. It seemed that the idea of Manifest Destiny would help the government secure the Oregon Territory. Also, it would greatly help the government get all the territories between the U.S. and the Pacific.
The idea of Manifest Destiny was encouraged by the United States government. It seemed that the idea of Manifest Destiny would help the government secure the Oregon Territory. Also, it would greatly help the government get all the territories between the U.S. and the Pacific.
Religion
As the mountain men started crossing the Oregon Trail, missionaries soon followed to convert anyone who goes to Oregon to their religion. A common nickname given to the missionaries by the mountain men were "crazy do-gooders." The mountain men were still very useful to the missionaries. They guided the missionaries through the Oregon Trail to Native American villages, but for a fee. The trail, as well as the mountain men, was a great help to missionaries to spread their religion throughout many Native American tribes.
Escaping Debt
A large number of emigrants would travel to Oregon to escape from debt. A large cause of this was the Panic of 1837. This was caused when Andrew Jackson tore down the Second National Bank. People rushed to the bank to take out all their money, but the bank ran out leaving many people without money. Once this happened people saved up for the the trip so they would not have to pay the bank any owed money. Moving to Oregon was a great way to get out of paying the government what they owed.
Business
The Oregon Trail consisted of many different business opportunities. An obvious example would be setting up a shop in a small community in the Oregon Territory. Due to the minuscule amount of shops along the trail, shops could sell massive amounts of items to travelers along the trail for prices higher than normal. The farther the shop was from Independence, Missouri, the more it could charge. Most of these shops were located around forts. The business opportunities were great because of the lack of competition, so the shop were able to charge more for their items.
Farming
Missionaries would sent back letters from the Oregon Territory saying that farms would thrive there. In addition, there were rumors that Congress give families 640 acres of land if they settled in Oregon Territory. Another large reason why farmers wanted to move to Oregon was that the East was getting way to crowded to raise a farm properly. As a result, a massive wave of farmers started their journey to the Oregon Territory and for all of its benefits.