Curated OER
Chapter 12: American History
Short and to the point, these slides cover some basic points about life in 19th centrury America. Topics such as Texas Independence, the California Gold Rush, and the Oregon Territory are briefly mentioned, and some of the facts are hard...
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: The Letters and Journals of Narcissa Whitman
A few pages from the journal of Narcissa Whitman who was a missionary in the Oregon Country. She was later murdered along with her husband at the Whitman massacre.
Texas A&M University
New Spain Index: Adams Onis Treaty of 1819
After a brief introduction, you can read the full text of the Adams-Onis Treaty negotiated with Spain by John Quincy Adams.
Other
Oregon California Trails Association: Historic Trails Learning Center
Information portal for the organization that oversees the preservation of the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Santa Fe Trail, the Applegate Trail, and the Mormon Trail.
University of Oregon
Mapping History: American History
Interactive and animated maps and timelines of historical events and time periods in American history from pre-European times until post-World War II.
Library of Congress
Loc: Nation Expansion and Reform: Traveling on the Overland Trails, 1843 1860
Primary source information about traveling the Overland Trails, both to Oregon Country and California.
Digital History
Digital History: Western Expansion: Conclusion
A good overview of the territorial expansion and its results that occurred in the United States over the first half of the 19th century.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Expansion of the United States, 1846 48
This online lesson plan shows young scholars through primary sources how the borders of the U.S. changed in just a few years. They are asked to analyze maps and use map skills. All maps and worksheets are included as well as additional...
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: Marcus Whitman & Narcissa Whitman
PBS site detailing the Whitmans' journey to Oregon country, their establishment of a mission, and their death at the hands of the Indians. Also includes some background information.
Other
Salem Online History: Jason Lee 1803 1845
This website provides a brief biography of Jason Lee, early Methodist missionary and doctor and was the founder of Salem, Oregon.
Other
Historic Trails: Oregon/california Trails
Find a map of the Oregon Trail and California Trail and click Historical Trails tab to discover the hardships and daily grind of traveling on the Oregon Trail.
Bob Dunn
History Globe: The Oregon Trail: 1843 Map
Take a virtual tour of the historic Oregon Trail and see photos of the landmarks along the way. Compare the map of 1843 with a modern map of today.
Other
Oregon's First Settlers: Genealogical Research in Oregon
See a chart showing the number of settlers using the Oregon Trail between 1840 and 1859 by scrolling down to "Wagon Trains."
Other
The Oregon Trail: Fantastic Facts About the Oregon Trail
This resource provides quirky facts about the Oregon Trail.
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: Rush Bagot Pact and Conventiion of 1818
An analysis of both the Rush-Bagot Treaty and the Convention of 1818. Scroll to the last few paragraphs to find the provisions of the Convention of 1818. From the U.S. State Department.
Library of Congress
Loc: Merica's Story: Oregon Territory
Read about the settling of Oregon country and how westward expansion prompted Congress to make it a territory.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: 54 40 or Fight
See how James Polk's plan to claim the Oregon Territory, which had been shared with Great Britain since 1818, led him to victory with the slogan, Fifty-four forty or fight. Read about the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail and why...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Oregon Territory
A brief history of the Oregon Territory, with maps that show the movement from territory to statehood.
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: The Oregon Trail
This site from PBS provides a map of the Oregon Trail, from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette Valley.
![Bureau of Land Management: Oregon Trail Map [Pdf] Graphic](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Bureau of Land Management: Oregon Trail Map [Pdf] Graphic")
Curated OER
Bureau of Land Management: Oregon Trail Map [Pdf]
A map of the Oregon Trail and some of its branches.
Other
Triumph and Tragedy: Women's Voices From the Oregon Trail
Here is the story of the women and their families who traveled on the Oregon Trail. Much of the story is told in the words of women who were actually on the trail.
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Pierre Jean De Smet
Catholic Encyclopedia provides a biography on Pierre-Jean de Smet, discussing his missionary work. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference source and should be viewed in the context of resource material dated...
Other
Mountain Men, Trappers, and Fur Traders: John Jacob Astor
This is a very brief site on the man who came to monopolize the fur trade, John Jacob Astor. Hyperlinks for additional information.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Three Island Crossing
A National Park Service site that gives a brief description of Three Island Crossing (Snake River) and what sometimes occurred when the wagon trains heading westward tried to cross.