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Donner Party: Group of American pioneers in 1846-1847 who resorted to cannibalism (en.wikipedia.org)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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A fascinating read of an article. How long are you willing to suffer before eating human flesh? How far till you eat your own parents? This episode of westward expansion is an example of natural selection and human group psychology. Hope you enjoy it!

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yea the cannibalism is the hook but the whole story is enthralling. Thanks for the rec, I see this book is listed in “further reading”, I gotta check it out!

One aspect that struck me too was that American law did not apply west of the continental divide, so justice within the wagon train was decided by the group. Also, families within the wagons had a hierarchy and carried debts between one another if they borrowed one another’s supplies. I never really thought about the economics and different classes of people traveling together. Even when they were dying in the cabins (which were separated by miles) at Truckee lake, one family member coughed up $25 ($1000 today) to buy the ox carcass from another family… it’s crazy they didn’t pool resources and try to survive together.