The Oregon Trail, a key artery for westward expansion in 19th-century America, was significant in American history as it facilitated the migration of thousands of settlers seeking land and opportunity in the Oregon Territory. Spanning over 2,000 miles from Missouri to Oregon, the trail became a symbol of Manifest Destiny, the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. While enabling economic growth and settlement, the Oregon Trail also led to conflicts with Native American tribes, ecological changes, and the displacement of indigenous populations. The trail played a crucial role in shaping U.S. territorial boundaries and the development of the American West.