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The Oregon Trail Has Affected Westward Expansion And Manifest Destiny

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The Oregon Trail Has Affected Westward Expansion And Manifest Destiny
The Oregon Trail was one of the most prolific and destiny-changing events in American history. The expedition gave way to tremendous changes in terms of exploration and trade, acting as a gateway to westward migration and settling the western frontier. The trail stretches roughly 2,000 miles of rugged terrain from Missouri to Oregon. It can be one of the most overlooked events in the US’s history, but regardless, it has positively impacted the country’s history. The Oregon Trail was crucial to seeing America’s vision come to light, it served as a pathway for thousands of pioneers in the 19th century to seek land, new opportunities, and new beginnings. The Oregon Trail had affected Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, the economic development of the …show more content…
The extent of the impact is seen far beyond the physical sense, it serves as a symbol of the pioneering spirit that has defined the experience of traveling westward. The culture of the western frontier had changed permanently, and being affected by American culture, gave the US a whole new identity (Worrall). The expedition brought interactions between many diverse groups of people such as the settlers and Native Americans (Worrall). Despite the difficulties of two completely different cultures clashing against each other, the exchange between all the different races, cultures, and ethnicities created a unique identity exclusive to the American people. The cultural imprint left behind gave the people living in the Western region a pioneer spirit, and a strong sense of self. The Oregon Trail affected America's expansion for the better. It had positively promoted westward expansion, stimulated economic development, and left a profound mark on the cultural and social aspects of the nation. It had a lasting impact on the cultural and social aspects of the

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