The biggest threat of traveling west in the manner shown in the illustration was that disease spread quickly because the travelers lived so close together.
From the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center: The most dreaded danger was cholera. It could spread rapidly among wagon trains. The mysterious nature of cholera made it even more frightening; a strong healthy person could develop a slight fever in the morning, be unconscious at noon, and dead in the evening. Combined with accidents, drowning at dangerous river crossings, and other illnesses, at least 20,000 people died along the Oregon Trail. Most trailside graves are unknown, as burials were quick and the wagon trains moved on. Question Use the image and passage to answer the question. What was the biggest threat of traveling west in the manner shown in the illustration? (1 point) Responses Groups faced the possibility of ambush by hostile natives. Groups faced the possibility of ambush by hostile natives. Settlers were unable to purchase or trade for goods along the way. Settlers were unable to purchase or trade for goods along the way. Disease spread quickly because the travelers lived so close together. Disease spread quickly because the travelers lived so close together. Individual wagons would oftentimes be separated from the group. Individual wagons would oftentimes be separated from the group.
1 answer