Donner Party Quiz

What was the primary goal of the Donner Party?

• To find gold in California

• To settle in California

• To explore new lands for the U.S. government

• To establish a new trade route

What dangerous shortcut did the Donner Party decide to take?

• The Oregon Trail

• The Hastings Cutoff

• The Santa Fe Trail

• The Rocky Mountain Path

Who convinced the Donner Party to take the shortcut that led to their difficulties?

• James Reed

• George Donner

• Lansford Hastings

• Edwin Bryant

What natural obstacle caused the Donner Party to become trapped?

• A blizzard in the Sierra Nevada

• A flood in the Great Plains

• A wildfire in Utah

• An earthquake in California

Which member of the Donner Party led efforts to build shelters and ration food?

• Tamsen Donner

• James Reed

• Patrick Breen

• Virginia Reed

The Donner Party left Missouri in the spring of 1846.

• True

• False

Cannibalism was the only option for some members of the Donner Party to survive.

• True

• False

The Donner Party successfully reached California without losing any members.

• True

• False

Why was the Hastings Cutoff so dangerous for the Donner Party?

How did the Donner Party’s experience shape future westward migration?