Not entirely. His description of the route across Utah and into California was not accurate, misstating distances and availability of water. However, Hastings himself successfully crossed the same route. Other factors, especially the weather, were equally as important in the tragedy. Had the party gotten over the Sierra Nevada Mountains before the first heavy snow, they would have made it safely to California.
I disagree. Lansford Hastings recommended the route to California before he actually tried it. When he finally did try it himself, he did it on horseback, not with oxen and covered wagons. Oxen and covered wagons traveled at a much slower pace...duh... especially when navigating through forested valleys and salt deserts. Timing was everything when you needed to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains before the snow came, and Lansford Hasting's "times" were seriously inaccurate due to a fact he should have compensated for. His wrong ideas cost other people their lives. why?
The leadership of the Donner party was to blame for the tragedy that ensued and not Lansford Hastings. History tells us that Hastings "discouraged" the Party from a break from the traditional Oregon Trail. The leadership though, I'm sure was anxious to start their new lives in Ca. opted for the seemingly easier unproven "bypass" instead of the longer northern route. The Donner Party leadership, however did not account for water or grazing lands for livestock, the difficulty of trail blazing, and the timing of the journey witch was the most tale telling factor of the expedition. It was a roll dice that was taken to save time and resources. Though the Siera Nevada
They used the Hastings' Cutoff
There was a girl named Mary Donner in the Donner Party, and a woman named Margaret Reed.
No. The Donner Party were not Mormon pioneers.
The Donner Party - film - was created in 2009.
George Donner was the leader
Lansford W. Hastings wrote the immigrants guide to the west. But the problem was Hastings never had actually been to california, which is where the donner party was headed. He said there was a shortcut, but he lied, he has never been there, he only did it for money.
They used the Hastings' Cutoff
Basically, a guy by the name of Lansford Hastings decided to take a shortcut now called "Hastings Cutoff"). This shortcut would have saved them time, however, they were not prepared for the extreme weather they encountered. Deep snow and limited supplies ultimately led to the demise half of the party. 48 of the 87 members of the party survived.
Its a matter of opinion. There are many people who believe that it was Hastings fault, and others believe that it was the Donner Party's fault. There is also many evidence that suppourts both sides.
After Hastings took his own shortcut, he basically led a normal life. He went on to fight in the Mexican- American war and the Civil War, where he made some pretty good accomplishments. He later lived in Brazil and died in 1870 while leading rebels in the Virgin Islands. So, he pretty much lived an ordinary life, including getting married!
16 wagons were on the donner party And 87 people that were with the donner party.
There was a girl named Mary Donner in the Donner Party, and a woman named Margaret Reed.
No. The Donner Party were not Mormon pioneers.
The Donner Party - film - was created in 2009.
The duration of The Donner Party - documentary - is 1.5 hours.
George Donner was the leader
The experience that the Donner Party had shows that the Oregon Trail was hazardous.