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The Significance and Factors of the Oregon Trail in Manifest Destiny

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
7 questions
~14 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores the key factors that motivated settlers to travel the Oregon Trail and assesses their relative importance in the context of Manifest Destiny.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Manifest Destiny
#Standard
#Significance & Factors
#Oregon Trail
#Identify and categorize the main factors influencing westward expansion via the Oregon Trail
#Analyze the relative importance of political, social, economic, and religious factors
#Justify rankings of significance with evidence from historical sources

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The Significance and Factors of the Oregon Trail in Manifest Destiny

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
Name:
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to the Oregon Trail and Manifest Destiny

Source A: Manifest Destiny Propaganda Poster

'God has called us to spread liberty and civilization westward! Join the great migration to the Oregon Territory!' Provenance: 1840s American promotional material encouraging settlers to migrate west.

1.
Explain what Source A suggests about the reasons for westward migration along the Oregon Trail. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
B

Factors Influencing Westward Expansion

Source B: Economic Opportunity Advertisement

'Rich farmland and abundant resources await settlers in Oregon. A new life for hardworking families!' Provenance: 1850s promotional materials aimed at attracting settlers.

1.
Categorize the factor described in Source B. Is it Political, Social, Economic, or Religious? Justify your answer. (2 marks)
[2 marks]
2.
Compare the social and religious factors influencing migration along the Oregon Trail. Use evidence in your answer. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
C

Ranking the Significance of Factors

Source C: Personal Letter from a Pioneer

'Our main reason was to own land and start anew, but the belief in manifest destiny kept us going.' Provenance: Personal correspondence from a settler in 1852.

1.
Which factor do you think was MOST significant in motivating settlers: economic opportunity, religious conviction, or political reasons? Rank these in order of importance and justify your ranking. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
D

Analyzing the Impact of Factors

Source D: Excerpt from a Historian

'The economic lure of fertile land was perhaps the strongest motivator, but religious and political ideas also played crucial roles.' Provenance: 20th-century historical analysis.

1.
Explain how Source D assesses the relative importance of different factors influencing migration along the Oregon Trail. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
E

Conclusion and Reflection

Source E: Summary of Migration Factors

'The westward movement was driven by a combination of economic prospects, religious beliefs, political ambitions, and social aspirations.' Provenance: Modern summary of 19th-century migration.

1.
Outline the main factors that motivated settlers to undertake the journey along the Oregon Trail. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
2.
Analyse which factor you believe was the MOST significant in encouraging westward migration and explain why, using evidence. (5 marks)
[5 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
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