What are some examples of the hardships that people faced when traveling on the Oregon Trail?
What are some examples of the hardships that people faced when traveling on the Oregon Trail? The hardships of weather, limited diet, and exhaustion made travelers very vulnerable to infectious diseases such as cholera, flu, dysentery, measles, mumps, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever which could spread quickly through an entire wagon camp.
How far did Oregon Trail travelers go in a day?
Perhaps some 300,000 to 400,000 people used it during its heyday from the mid-1840s to the late 1860s, and possibly a half million traversed it overall, covering an average of 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) per day; most completed their journeys in four to five months.
What are three dangers hardships associated with traveling on the Oregon Trail?
Weather conditions: Crossers encountered harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, hot temperatures, and snow. Disease: Travelers were exposed to various illnesses and diseases, including cholera, dysentery, and smallpox. Food and water scarcity: The trail was long, and food and water were often scarce.
How did people survive on the Oregon Trail?
Life on the Oregon Trail By far, the most important item for successful life on the trail was the covered wagon. It had to be sturdy enough to withstand the elements yet small and light enough for a team of oxen or mules to pull day after day. Most wagons were about six feet wide and twelve feet long.