Chapter 14Chapter 14

Westward Expansion and the Westward Expansion and the Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny

Oregon CountryOregon Country

Many conflicting claims: Russia, Many conflicting claims: Russia, U.S., Great Britain, SpainU.S., Great Britain, Spain

First Settlers: the Mountain MenFirst Settlers: the Mountain Men– Lived in the wild with Native AmericansLived in the wild with Native Americans– Ate whatever they could findAte whatever they could find– Searched for furs, later would led Searched for furs, later would led

settlers westsettlers west– Traded at rendezvousTraded at rendezvous

Early Settlers in OregonEarly Settlers in Oregon White missionaries like Marcus and Narcissa White missionaries like Marcus and Narcissa

WhitmanWhitman The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail

– Due to stories about fertile soil (wheat taller than a Due to stories about fertile soil (wheat taller than a man) many want to moveman) many want to move

– Long difficult journey-had to cover 2,000 miles in only Long difficult journey-had to cover 2,000 miles in only 5 months5 months

– Often brought to much equipment: the trail became a Often brought to much equipment: the trail became a dumping ground, anvils, ploughs, ovens, barrels and dumping ground, anvils, ploughs, ovens, barrels and clothing--even books, often left behind for others to clothing--even books, often left behind for others to useuse

– Many problems-Illness, disease, floods, blistering heat Many problems-Illness, disease, floods, blistering heat and Native Americansand Native Americans

Oregon TrailOregon Trail

In 1843 thousands of Americans began to travel along the Oregon Trail to begin new lives in the western United States. A part of what is now Washington state was claimed by both Britain and the United States, but in 1846 United States President James Polk negotiated the Oregon Settlement, and the British moved their boundary farther north.

By the middle of the 19th century, the Oregon Trail had become the main route to the American Northwest. Thousands traveled the route, which took six months by covered wagon. Deeply rutted roads cut by wagon wheels can still be seen today in many places along the trail.

Oregon Trail

Lone Star RepublicLone Star Republic First settled by Stephen Austin, 1821First settled by Stephen Austin, 1821 Mexican gov’t thought that the Americans Mexican gov’t thought that the Americans

would help develop the land and control the would help develop the land and control the Native AmericansNative Americans

Mexico granted each settler 640 acres and Mexico granted each settler 640 acres and required the Americans to :required the Americans to :

Become citizens of MexicoBecome citizens of Mexico Become CatholicsBecome Catholics Obey Mexican law and customsObey Mexican law and customs No slaveryNo slavery

Americans in TexasAmericans in Texas

At first the American settlers went alongAt first the American settlers went along Since some areas of Texas was good for Since some areas of Texas was good for

growing cotton, many settlers were growing cotton, many settlers were Southerners who brought slaves with themSoutherners who brought slaves with them

1832, General Santa Anna took over as 1832, General Santa Anna took over as dictator and threw out the Mexican dictator and threw out the Mexican constitutionconstitution

Americans feared for their rights and were Americans feared for their rights and were afraid that the Mexican gov’t might try to afraid that the Mexican gov’t might try to drive them out of Texasdrive them out of Texas

The Texas RevolutionThe Texas Revolution

October 1835-Texas fought the Mexican Army at October 1835-Texas fought the Mexican Army at Gonzales “the Lexington of Texas”Gonzales “the Lexington of Texas”

March 2, 1836-Republic of Texas formed, Sam March 2, 1836-Republic of Texas formed, Sam Houston put in charge of the Texas army.Houston put in charge of the Texas army.

Battle of the Alamo-For 12 days, 188 Americans Battle of the Alamo-For 12 days, 188 Americans were surrounded by thousands of Mexican were surrounded by thousands of Mexican troops and finally all were killed even while troops and finally all were killed even while trying to surrendertrying to surrender

The slaughter at the Alamo inspired Texans The slaughter at the Alamo inspired Texans “Remember the Alamo!” became the battle cry“Remember the Alamo!” became the battle cry

Battle of the Battle of the AlamoAlamoIn February 1836, 188 Texans under the command of Colonel William Barrett Travis held off 4000 Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna at a former Spanish mission called The Alamo. The adobe structure served as a fortress for the Texans, who were fighting to gain their independence from Mexico. The Mexican artillery eventually succeeded in punching a hole in The Alamo's thick walls on March 6. In the savage hand-to-hand fighting that followed, all the Texans, including Davy Crockett and James Bowie, were killed.

Victory at San JacintoVictory at San Jacinto

April 21, 1836, Houston decided April 21, 1836, Houston decided to attack Santa Anna’s army to attack Santa Anna’s army during the mid-day sienta, during the mid-day sienta, capturing Santa Anna and forced capturing Santa Anna and forced him to sign a peace treatyhim to sign a peace treaty

Texas became the Lone Star Texas became the Lone Star Republic; wrote a constitution Republic; wrote a constitution similar to the U.S. constitution similar to the U.S. constitution and elected Sam Houston and elected Sam Houston presidentpresident

Sam Houston

Santa Anna surrenders to Santa Anna surrenders to HoustonHouston

Problems for Texas and Problems for Texas and AnnexationAnnexation

Mexican gov’t did not accept the peace treaty Mexican gov’t did not accept the peace treaty and still thought Texas was part of Mexicoand still thought Texas was part of Mexico

Texas deeply in debt and wanted to be part Texas deeply in debt and wanted to be part of U.S.of U.S.

Southerners favored but Northerners against:Southerners favored but Northerners against:– Texas allowed slavery and Northerners were Texas allowed slavery and Northerners were

against upsetting the balance between free and against upsetting the balance between free and slave statesslave states

– Jackson was afraid that annexation would lead to Jackson was afraid that annexation would lead to war with Mexicowar with Mexico

Looking WestLooking West

Settlement of the Southwest slow Settlement of the Southwest slow due to climatedue to climate

Santa Fe (oldest state capital in Santa Fe (oldest state capital in U.S.) major fur trading postU.S.) major fur trading post

Spain discouraged American Spain discouraged American settlement but Mexico did notsettlement but Mexico did not

William Bucknell first American to William Bucknell first American to travel the Santa Fe trailtravel the Santa Fe trail

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny(click here for more details)(click here for more details)

Manifest-clear or obviousManifest-clear or obvious Destiny-something that is sure to happen (usually Destiny-something that is sure to happen (usually

destined by God)destined by God) Many Americans believed that it was obvious that Many Americans believed that it was obvious that

God intended whites to conquer the entire continentGod intended whites to conquer the entire continent Became a sort of self-filling prophesyBecame a sort of self-filling prophesy James Polk won the election of 1844 due to his James Polk won the election of 1844 due to his

expansion policies (even if it meant war: California, expansion policies (even if it meant war: California, New Mexico, Texas and Oregon should be part of New Mexico, Texas and Oregon should be part of the U. S. & wanted the border with Canada set at 54 the U. S. & wanted the border with Canada set at 54 degrees N. “54, 40 or Fight”degrees N. “54, 40 or Fight”

War with MexicoWar with MexicoPolk got his WishPolk got his Wish

Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1845Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1845 Border dispute arose U.S. claimed the Border dispute arose U.S. claimed the

southern boundary as the Rio Grande while southern boundary as the Rio Grande while Mexico claimed the Nueces RiverMexico claimed the Nueces River

Polk sent Gen. Taylor to the Rio Grande to Polk sent Gen. Taylor to the Rio Grande to set up forts and he was attacked by the set up forts and he was attacked by the Mexican army. Mexican army.

Polk claimed that Mexico had shed American Polk claimed that Mexico had shed American blood on American soil and asked forblood on American soil and asked for and and received a declaration of war.received a declaration of war.

War with MexicoWar with Mexico

Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and won Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and won several battles including defeating Santa several battles including defeating Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena VistaAnna at the Battle of Buena Vista

Gen. Scott landed at Veracruz, took that Gen. Scott landed at Veracruz, took that city and headed to Mexico Citycity and headed to Mexico City

Gen. Kearny took control of New Mexico Gen. Kearny took control of New Mexico and with the help of the newly independent and with the help of the newly independent Bear Flag Republic under Captain John Bear Flag Republic under Captain John Fremont took control of CaliforniaFremont took control of California

Battle of Buena VistaBattle of Buena Vista

Zachary Taylor became the 12th president of the United States when he was inaugurated in 1849. Taylor gained national fame for his leadership as an army general during the Mexican War in 1847. At the Battle of Buena Vista, Taylor's 5,000-soldier force held its ground against about 15,000 Mexican troops.

Taylor at Buena VistaTaylor at Buena Vista

Battle of VeracruzBattle of Veracruz

Battle of ChapultepecBattle of Chapultepec

United States troops under the command of General Winfield Scott break through the defenses of Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City. Fought in 1847, the battle was the last engagement in the Mexican War (1846-1848). About 800 Mexican defenders manned the walls, including a group of military cadets, six of whom became national heroes when they died in the battle.

Scott with help from Lt. Robert E. Scott with help from Lt. Robert E. Lee: Battle of ChapultepecLee: Battle of Chapultepec

Victory over MexicoVictory over Mexico

After a fierce battle at Chapultepec, Scott was able After a fierce battle at Chapultepec, Scott was able to take Mexico Cityto take Mexico City

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war:The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war:– Mexico ceded all of California and the New Mexico territoryMexico ceded all of California and the New Mexico territory– U.S. paid Mexico $15 million for the Mexican Cession and U.S. paid Mexico $15 million for the Mexican Cession and

promised to respect the rights of Spanish-speaking people promised to respect the rights of Spanish-speaking people in the ceded territoryin the ceded territory

In 1853, the Manifest Destiny was complete with the In 1853, the Manifest Destiny was complete with the Gadsden Purchase of a strip of land in New Mexico Gadsden Purchase of a strip of land in New Mexico and Arizonaand Arizona

Mexican WarMexican War

The Mormons settle Utah The Mormons settle Utah

The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saint was formed by Joseph Smith Day Saint was formed by Joseph Smith in the 1820’s in NYin the 1820’s in NY

Often forced to move due to Often forced to move due to persecution: NY to Ohio to Missouri to persecution: NY to Ohio to Missouri to IllinoisIllinois

In 1844, Smith was killed by an angry In 1844, Smith was killed by an angry mob and Brigham Young was chosen mob and Brigham Young was chosen the leaderthe leader

Smith Young

The Mormons and UtahThe Mormons and Utah Young read about a valley between the Young read about a valley between the

Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake and Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake and thought this isolated place would be a safe thought this isolated place would be a safe home for Mormonshome for Mormons

Through very careful planning, 15,000 Through very careful planning, 15,000 Mormons were moved from Illinois to Utah in Mormons were moved from Illinois to Utah in just two yearsjust two years

To survive the desert climate, Young planned To survive the desert climate, Young planned an irrigation system to water crops and a an irrigation system to water crops and a great city, Salt Lake City to be built.great city, Salt Lake City to be built.

The Gold Rush 1849The Gold Rush 1849 At a place called Sutter’s Fort, James At a place called Sutter’s Fort, James

Marshall, building a saw mill along the Marshall, building a saw mill along the America River, saw a shinning yellow America River, saw a shinning yellow rock: GOLDrock: GOLD

New spread quickly about the gold New spread quickly about the gold discoverydiscovery

Americans caught gold fever and over Americans caught gold fever and over 80,000 “forty-niners” left their home 80,000 “forty-niners” left their home to strike it rich in CA.to strike it rich in CA.

Different Mining MethodsDifferent Mining Methods

Gold was discovered in California in 1848. Two main methods were used for gold mining—lode and placer mining. In lode mining, prospectors dug into the earth in an effort to reach pockets of minerals. In placer mining, shown here, prospectors found gold in the gravels of existing and dried streams.

The Gold RushThe Gold Rush

Only a few miners became richOnly a few miners became rich Most of the people who made money were the Most of the people who made money were the

merchants who sold items to the forty-ninersmerchants who sold items to the forty-niners As CA grew so did problems esp. murder and As CA grew so did problems esp. murder and

robberies. Led to vigilantes who took the law into robberies. Led to vigilantes who took the law into their own hands, hanging people without a trialtheir own hands, hanging people without a trial

Californians realized that they needed a Californians realized that they needed a government to keep order and wrote a government to keep order and wrote a constitution and asked to be admitted to the constitution and asked to be admitted to the union. union.

California became a state in 1850, but only after California became a state in 1850, but only after much debate (see Ch. 17)much debate (see Ch. 17)