Challenges and Innovations on the Oregon Trail

This chapter explores the hardships faced by white settlers on the Oregon Trail, focusing on personal accounts that shed light on the emotional and physical toll of their journey. It particularly emphasizes the evolving roles of women, who took on significant responsibilities to ensure family survival while navigating gender dynamics and opportunities for empowerment. Additionally, the chapter discusses the impact of technological innovations during the late 19th century, highlighting how inventions changed land ownership and contributed to ecological decline.