Why was the Oregon Trail such a popular route to the west?

Between 1518 and 1548, spanish conquistadores conquered most of the new world, motivated by the a) desire for scientific knowledge. b)  to urge to claim more territory for spain. c) belief that an all-water western route to the orient existed. d) desire to advance national glory, serve god, and seek personal wealth.

Multiple-choice the word "democracy" means: (a) "rule by the people" (b) "minority rule" (c) "individual rights" in a democracy, election results are protected against dishonesty by: (a) laws (b) customs (c) values the type of government in which the people are represented by elected officials is sometimes called a: (a) monarchy (b) republic (c) totalitarian state in most democracies, the only legal requirements for voting or holding public office are based on age, residence, and: (a) religion (b) citizenship (c) personal wealth in an election, political parties give voters a choice among candidates who tend to represent different: (a) ethnic groups (b) religious groups (c) interests and points of view

“dear sir: it is with great reluctance, i trouble you on a subject, which does not fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than i have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. i mean the present dreadful situation of the army for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. it is more alarming than you will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. for some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. a part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most acitive efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe.” what’s the central idea?