96

From 1841 to 1869, pioneers eager to reach Oregon or California took the overland trails of the American West, which meant embarking on a perilous trip that lasted several months. Representing a very rich field of study, the trails are documented by abundant sources, in particular emigrant diaries, that allow us to explore the social characteristics of this particular form of mobility. The analysis of emigrants’ profiles and preparations reveals that a certain equality prevailed from the outset, not only because of their relatively homogeneous identity (in terms of social and ethnic origins as well as values, habits, and customs), but also because of their attachment to democracy and wish to be on an equal footing. However, we can observe that this egalitarian tendency was reinforced by the travel conditions, given that the rigors of the trail—which appears as a paradigm of the frontier experience—leveled out their social and gender differences to a large extent. At least for the duration of the journey, the intrinsic precariousness of this life on the move imposed equality by reducing each and every one to their condition as human beings fighting for their survival.