Answer:
The economic depression that prompted many people to take the Oregon Trail westward occurred between 1837 and 1840
4
. This period of economic hardship led to a significant westward movement as individuals sought new opportunities in Oregon and California, away from the economic challenges they faced in the Midwest
2
. The Oregon Trail, a major route to the Northwest in the 19th century, played a crucial role in facilitating this migration, stretching about 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to the Columbia River region of Oregon
3
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