The Real Oregon Trail: Beyond Dysentery and the Apple II Game

The Real Oregon Trail: Beyond Dysentery and the Apple II Game

If you were a middle schooler in the United States anytime after 1985 and had a study hall with an Apple II, there is a very high chance you played Oregon Trail. After setting out from Independence, Missouri, you led your pixelated wagon across the frontier, hunting bears, fording rivers, and more likely than not, dying of dysentery.

The real Oregon Trail sprang up in the 1830s, when America was going through the worst economic slump it would see until the Great Depression. A mixture of financial urgency and a sense of destiny--Manifest Destiny--convinced tens of thousands of Americans to trek over 2,000 miles from Missouri’s western edge to Oregon Country.

But how can families cross the desert? Or the Rocky Mountains? Or descend the Columbia River? And what about the British HBC’s hold on Oregon Country? Many tried this dangerous path, including fur traders, missionaries, explorers, and early wagon trains that dared to blaze this trail before its heyday of the 1840s-1860s.

Joined with us today to talk about the Oregon Trail is history professor and podcast Greg Jackson. He's the host of the show History That Doesn't Suck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jaksot(1080)

Tevi Troy on Pop Culture in the White House: From Washington’s Library to Trump’s Twitter Account

Tevi Troy on Pop Culture in the White House: From Washington’s Library to Trump’s Twitter Account

In the 21st century presidents can't stay out of the spotlight. Barack Obama released his NCAA tournament brackets every year on ESPN, was a regular guest on Jimmy Fallon and the rest of the late nigh...

29 Touko 201752min

When Did People Start Using Last Names?

When Did People Start Using Last Names?

Today's question comes from Melanie Padon: When did people start using last names and why? How did they come up with them? WANT ME TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HISTORY?   Click here to learn more.   ...

26 Touko 20176min

Did Conquering Armies Really Salt the Earth of Their Enemies?

Did Conquering Armies Really Salt the Earth of Their Enemies?

Today's question comes to us from Peter Swanson. My question is what is the history of "salting the earth" after a military victory. How would an army in the ancient world have transported tons and to...

25 Touko 20177min

What if JFK Had Lost the 1960 Election?

What if JFK Had Lost the 1960 Election?

Today's question comes to us courtesy of Brandon. Here's his question: This is Brandon Wall, and I'm wondering what would have happened if Nixon beat JFK in the 1960 presidential election. How would t...

24 Touko 201713min

Justin from the Generation Why Podcast: What Assassination Had the Most Impact on History?

Justin from the Generation Why Podcast: What Assassination Had the Most Impact on History?

Today's question comes to us from Justin from the Generation Why Podcast. It's a true crime podcast that you should definitely check out. Here's his question: What murder or assassination through hist...

23 Touko 201718min

Why Your Favorite Presidents (Lincoln, Washington) Actually Screwed Up America—Brion McClanahan

Why Your Favorite Presidents (Lincoln, Washington) Actually Screwed Up America—Brion McClanahan

Quick – name your favorite president. You probably said Washington or Lincoln, right? C'mon. You can be more original than that. Well, Brion McClanahan is original. He gladly tells people that the gre...

19 Touko 201744min

How a Horse Became a Sergeant in the Korean War — Robin Hutton

How a Horse Became a Sergeant in the Korean War — Robin Hutton

The story of Reckless—a pack horse in the Korean War who was a beloved household name in the 1950s and the only animal in U.S. history to officially achieve the rank of Sergeant—is one of the stranges...

19 Touko 20171h 27min

When Camels Roamed the American Southwest—The U.S. Camel Corps (1856-1866)

When Camels Roamed the American Southwest—The U.S. Camel Corps (1856-1866)

Welcome to the first episode of the History Unplugged podcast. We are kicking things off by exploring the US Army’s failed experiment of using camels as the military’s main pack animal in the American...

11 Touko 201744min

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