Donner Party Research Paper

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Pages: 1

The Donner Party took place around the late 1840's. It is the most famous tragedy that occurred in the westward migration. A group of nearly 90 emigrants left Springfield, Illinois, and headed west. They were led by brothers Jacob and George Donner, the group attempted to take a new and supposedly shorter route to California. They made a mistake along the way and encountered numerous delays. They eventually became trapped by heavy snowfall high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Many of the emigrants froze to death. In order to stay alive, they resorted into cannibalism. Only half of the original group reached California the following year. The emigrants decided to leave the established trail and take a new and supposedly