Mountain Men and Fur Trappers
By: Trevor Debelak
How were the Mountain Men and Fur Trappers affected?
Mountain men- Men who trap and sell furs and usually live in the wilderness.
During the Westward Expansion, it hurt the mountain men and fur trappers because with 7 million more people in the region, it made their furs less valuable. As the population in the West was growing, people took up trapping because they needed a 2nd occupation. The reason behind this was the fact that panning for gold didn't pay off and they needed money to feed their families.
Event Information
Westward Expansion
Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase from the French government in 1803 for $15 million. By 1840, nearly 7 million Americans lived in the trans-Appalachian west region.
When?
Friday, Dec 30, 1803, 12:00 PM
Where?
Coloma, CA, United States
Westward Expansion
1803- Louisiana Purchase was bought.
1830- Congress passed a law to move Native Americans South East of the Mississippi river.
1841- The Oregon trail was commonly taken to California and within the next few years over 300,000 people would travel along the Oregon trail.
1849- Many Americans moved West for the gold rush.
Hunters
Hunters like the one above used rifles for their accuracy and power. Rifles made a clean kill and unlike arrows, didn't stick out of the animal causing the pelt to be covered in blood.
Conestoga Wagon
These were the wagons that were most commonly traveled in because they were light compared to others and was on of the few wagons that existed.
Raccoon
Raccoon's were commonly killed for their soft fur and were used to make clothes and coats.
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