Pioneers
By: Harlee Netherby
To be an American Pioneer in the Westward Expansion
To be an American pioneer in the Westward Expansion means to be brave and smart. Not having these qualities would make it very difficult to survive in the Westward Expansion.
Brave
The pioneers in the Westward Expansion were brave. They would walk for days ands weeks any would keep a good attitude. The pioneers also had to get through climate change and illnesses. There was no way the pioneers could predict what illness or climate was upcomming, they just had to be ready and get through it as best as they could. For example, according to "On the Plains in 1844", "with camp fever and a sore mouth, she fought bravely against fate for sake of her children, but she was taken delirious soon after reaching Fort Bridger, and was bed-fast." This quote means that the mother tried hard to fight through her illness and get better to be with her kids. Also, to survive they had to go out and catch or hunt animals to eat, so they wouldn't starve.
Smart
To be an American Pioneer in the Westward Expansion means to be smart. The pioneers had to be able to make medications, weapons, clothing, and much more supplies to get through the journey. They had to figure out ways that they could work together to make things possibly easier. For example, according to William Clark and his Pacific Ocean Bound diary entries, "...most tremendious waves brakeing with great violence against the Shores, rain falling in torrents, we are all wet as usual... our selves and party Scattered on floating logs and Such dry Spots as can be found on the hill sides and crivicies of the rocks." This proves that they had to work together to stay dry. Each and every little thing took skill and practice.
In conclusion,
The journey Westward put many challenges and obstacles on the pioneers. For them to get through it, they put on a good attitude, used their brains, and became brave. The pioneers were a very important impact on the Westward expansion.
Schoolhouse Rock - Elbow Room
Works Cited
DeFelice, Cynthia. Weasel. New York: Avon Books, Inc., 1990. Print
“Lewis and Clark Journal Entries.” Brain Waves Instruction. 2014. Web. <www.brainwavesinstruction.blogspot.com>
“On the Plains in 1844.” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. 2013. Web. <www.gilderlehrman.org>
“Rural America: The Westward Movement.” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. 2013. Web. <www.gilderlehrman.org>