Write a multi-paragraph essay based on your reading of both passages. Do you believe Jesse Applegate’s father had a justifiable reason to bring his family west on the Oregon Trail? Be sure to use information you learned from both passages. You will be scored on a focused response to the question, good organization, and use of supporting evidence, as well as appropriate punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure.
In evaluating whether Jesse Applegate's father had a justifiable reason to bring his family west on the Oregon Trail, it is important to consider the circumstances and motivations that led to their decision. In the passage from Jesse Applegate's diary, he describes the hardships his family faced while traveling on the Oregon Trail, including sickness, exhaustion, and encounters with hostile Native American tribes. Despite these challenges, Jesse's father believed that moving west was necessary for the safety and prosperity of his family. The promise of fertile land, economic opportunity, and a better life for his children likely influenced his decision to make the arduous journey.
Additionally, the passage from the journal of Elizabeth Dixon Smith sheds light on the motivations of pioneers like Jesse Applegate's father. Smith describes the crowded and unhygienic conditions on the trail, as well as the constant threat of disease, injury, and death. Despite these dangers, many families were willing to endure these hardships in order to escape poverty, overcrowding, and social unrest in the East. Smith's account provides valuable insight into the sacrifices that pioneers made in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.
Overall, it can be argued that Jesse Applegate's father had a justifiable reason to bring his family west on the Oregon Trail. The promise of new opportunities, fertile land, and a fresh start outweighed the risks and challenges that the journey presented. By choosing to move west, Jesse's father demonstrated his desire to provide a better future for his family, even if it meant enduring significant hardships along the way. Ultimately, the decision to embark on the Oregon Trail was a calculated risk that many pioneers were willing to take in order to secure a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.