Final answer:
The trail used by people escaping religious persecution in the East to head to Utah was the Mormon Trail, led by Brigham Young after Joseph Smith's death. It was a difficult 1,300-mile journey from Nauvoo to near the Great Salt Lake, with the most significant migration between 1846-1860, notably involving handcarts from 1856-1860.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mormon Trail
The trail used by people escaping religious persecution in the East and heading to Utah was the Mormon Trail. After the death of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young led the first group of Mormons over this 1,300-mile trail to reach an area near the Great Salt Lake, which they considered their "promised land."
The journey started from Nauvoo and occurred mainly between 1846 and 1860, with a significant migration happening in 1846-1847. The church encouraged the use of handcarts from 1856 to 1860, making travel more affordable for many church converts, notably those who recently arrived from Europe. However, the journey was fraught with hardships, and two out of the ten handcart companies experienced significant casualties.
The Mormon Trail branched off from the Oregon Trail, which was a major route for immigrants moving westward. The Oregon Trail was approximately 2,000 miles long, stretching from Independence, Missouri, to the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Both trails were instrumental in the westward expansion of the United States during the mid-19th century, helping to shape the American pioneer spirit as settlers moved to seek new lives and economic opportunities in the West. However, these journeys were not without peril, as travelers faced dangers such as disease, accidents, and the challenges of the rugged terrain.