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Where did pioneers put the wagons at night?
Either kept going or stopped to set up camp.
What does circle our wagons mean?
It refers to a group becoming cohesive and united against outsiders. It often involves presenting a united front against adversity. The phrase is derived from a practice of the early pioneers of the Western U.S. The pioneers traveled from the East in covered wagons, packed with all their belongings, and pulled by oxen or horses. They formed a caravan and traveled in small groups in a long line. At night, when they stopped to rest, the pioneers would draw up the wagons in a circle. Inside the circle was a fire, companionship, and safety. Outside the circle were wild animals, unfriendly strangers, and the unknown enemy. Actually the defensive tactic of circling the wagons began with the Russians in the early fifth century. The Russians used this circling of wagons against the Mongol light infantry to defend themselves in the region called the steppes. There the Russians drew their supply wagons into a circle and it became a portable fortress. As Mongol cavalry tried to raid the Russians, the Russian bowmen had the cover of their wagons to shoot arrows at the Mongols. Later, the Czechs used this and it was given the name of "the Wagenburg".
What is the pioneer way of traveling?
Traveling afoot, many pioneers spread out across America. Others rode mules, horses, or bought a wagon and joined up with a wagon train. Back then, the Cadillac of wagons was the Conestoga wagon.
Was the journey to California safe in 1848?
No. Every mile was dangerous. Each year the wagon trains started in late April or early May. Timing was crucial. If they left too early they might not find enough grass to feed the livestock. Too late they could be stranded in the mountains by snow. The Oregon Trail was little more than a pair of wheel ruts across 2400 miles of prairie land. They faced deep rivers, rapids, and had to ford these with the wagons. Often, the animals or wagons would be washed down river or get stuck. The first weeks on the trail were the easiest. Wagons had fresh supplies, the animals were sleek and happy, the land was flat and the days were nice. Soon, though, they would face violent rainstorms, winds, and top heavy wagons were blown over by the winds. Everything would get wet. As they got to the Rockies the trail became harder and they struggled with the loads on the wagons. Soon they had to dump household items to lighten the loads. Half of the people were now ill and bounced along in wagons. Many walked the entire route. Those going to CA had to cross the deserts of Utah and Nevada and pull themselves up the Sierra Nevada mountains. They were overcome by heat, tired, and animals would drop dead in the yoke, food supplies ran low, and wagons would go over the side of a mountain pass. Babies were born on the trail and many died, accidents and disease killed people. After 6-8 months they finally got to CA.
Why were many americans willing to give up their lives in the east and move to the west?
Vast amounts of territory became open and available to settlement, and many of the pioneers were children of pioneers themselves.
