Hastings

1. What can you infer about Hastings' audience from the details he chose to share about migrating to the Oregon and California territories?
2. What conclusions can you draw from this source about the experience of traveling in the mid-nineteenth century?
3. Compare Hastings' book with contemporary travel guides you may have seen or used. How do you interpret the differences you see?

Sloat & Mejia

1. Compare how each of these sources describes the conflict between the U.S. and Mexico. What is the cause of the conflict each identifies?
2. To what extent does each author tailor his message to the specific audience he is addressing? What can you infer about the audience from the language of each source?