The Spirit of Opportunity. The dream of unlimited opportunity beckoned traders, trappers, minors, settlers and other opportunist of the west in the early 19th century. After 1840 a steady stream of travelers pushed their way west along the Oregon, Santa Fe and other trails. Some sought land on the pacific coast others came in hopes of finding precious medals. Still more moved westward to establish missions or religious communities, with little thought or concern for the native peoples already present. They aggressively began to populate and exploit the west, seeking opportunity, which was assumed to be free for the taking.