HIST 202: American Westward Expansion

Assignment 2: Analytical Essay — Mormon Westward Migration

Assessment Overview

This assessment builds on prior foundational discussions of 19th-century American expansion and religious movements. Students are required to produce a structured analytical essay examining the challenges faced by Mormon pioneers during their westward migration between 1846 and 1868. The task evaluates historical interpretation, use of evidence, and the ability to connect environmental, social, and leadership factors within a coherent argument.

Task Description

Write an 825–1,050-word analytical essay that evaluates the key challenges experienced by Mormon settlers during their migration from Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley. Your response must move beyond description and present a clear argument about which challenges were most significant and why.

Key Focus Areas

• Geographical and environmental barriers
• Weather and seasonal constraints
• Disease, mortality, and health limitations
• Resource scarcity and logistical planning
• Social tensions and anti-Mormon resistance
• Leadership and organizational strategy under Brigham Young

Analytical Requirements

1. Formulate a clear thesis that prioritizes specific challenges rather than listing them.
2. Use historical evidence to support each claim, including primary or secondary sources.
3. Demonstrate causal reasoning by explaining how challenges interacted rather than treating them in isolation.
4. Assess the role of leadership in mitigating or intensifying these difficulties.
5. Conclude with a critical reflection on how this migration shaped long-term settlement patterns in the American West.

Formatting and Submission Guidelines

• Word count: 825–1,050 words
• Formatting: 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced
• Citation style: Chicago (Notes and Bibliography) or MLA
• Minimum sources: 4 scholarly sources
• Submission: LMS portal (Week 5)

Assessment Criteria (Marking Rubric)

• Argument Development (30%): Clear, sustained thesis with logical progression
• Use of Evidence (25%): Relevant, accurate, and well-integrated historical sources
• Critical Analysis (20%): Depth of reasoning and evaluation of interconnected challenges
• Structure and Coherence (15%): Organization, clarity, and paragraph flow
• Referencing and Academic Integrity (10%): Correct citation and originality

Sample High-Scoring Response Extract

Geographical barriers shaped nearly every aspect of the Mormon migration, yet their impact cannot be separated from the broader conditions settlers faced. River crossings such as the Missouri often delayed movement and led to significant supply losses, which then intensified food scarcity later in the journey. Harsh weather patterns compounded these challenges, particularly when early snowfall trapped groups in exposed terrain. While disease such as cholera spread rapidly in crowded camps, its severity was closely linked to exhaustion and poor nutrition rather than isolated medical failure. Leadership under Brigham Young appears to have mitigated some risks through structured travel schedules and the establishment of supply points, although these measures were not always sufficient. Taken together, these factors suggest that survival depended less on overcoming a single obstacle and more on managing a chain of interconnected pressures (Arrington, 2005, https://doi.org/10.2307/10.2307/43044610).

Accounts from trail journals and later historical analyses indicate that adaptability was as important as preparation. Some companies adjusted routes in response to environmental signals, while others suffered from rigid planning that did not account for changing conditions. This contrast highlights how decision-making under uncertainty shaped outcomes. It also raises the question of whether the migration’s success should be attributed primarily to faith-driven persistence or to pragmatic adjustments made along the way. In practice, both elements appear to have operated together, reinforcing each other rather than existing in opposition.

Additional Guidance

Strong essays avoid listing hardships and instead show how they interacted over time. For example, explain how resource shortages increased vulnerability to disease, or how weather disruptions influenced migration timing. Use specific examples rather than general statements. Avoid overreliance on narrative summaries.

Recommended References (APA 7th Edition)

• Arrington, L. J. (2005). Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints. University of Illinois Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/43044610
• Alexander, T. G. (2019). Mormonism in Transition. University of Illinois Press. https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p074193
• Hartley, W. G. (2018). My Best for the Kingdom: History and Autobiography of John Lowe Butler. University of Utah Press. https://uofupress.lib.utah.edu
• White, R. (2018). It’s Your Misfortune and None of My Own. University of Oklahoma Press. https://www.oupress.com
• Hafen, L. R., & Hafen, A. H. (2020). Handcarts to Zion. University of Nebraska Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv36tbm9

Study Topics

• Write an 825–1,050-word analytical essay examining the challenges faced by Mormon pioneers during westward migration, supported by historical evidence.
• Compose a 3–4 page paper analyzing environmental, social, and leadership challenges in Mormon migration with scholarly sources.
• Analyze key hardships of Mormon westward migration and evaluate their impact on survival and settlement outcomes.

Next Assessment Preview

Assignment 3: Discussion Post — Religion and Conflict in 19th-Century America

Students will engage in a 300–500-word discussion post analyzing how religious identity contributed to social conflict during westward expansion. The task requires one initial post and two peer responses supported by historical examples.

Requirements

• Initial post due Week 6
• Minimum 2 academic sources
• Engage critically with at least two classmates

Focus

Examine tensions between minority religious groups and dominant cultural norms, with reference to Mormon experiences and at least one comparative case.