This title examines an important historic event – the Oregon Trail. Easy-to-read, compelling text explores the history of the Pacific Coast and the expansion of the United States, the roles Manifest Destiny, transportation, mountain men, Native Americans, Mormons, and emigration societies played during this time, the challenges pioneers faced and experienced on the trail, and the effects of this event on society. Features include a table of contents, a timeline, facts, additional resources, Web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Events is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.