MANIFEST DESTINY

1818-1853

The Oregon Country Essential Question:

How did the belief in Manifest Destiny influence Western settlement?

Mountain Men Fur traders were first to reach the

Oregon CountryTraded for fur with Native AmericansTrapped beaver in the Rocky MountainsMany had Native American wives and

adopted Native American waysOnce beaver became scarce, many

settled into farming

The Whitman Mission Many early settlers were missionaries

Wanted to bring Christianity to Native Americans

Brought diseases that sometimes led to Native American backlash

White settlers moved west anyway

The Oregon Trail Panic of 1837 caused unrest and

desire for a better life Tens of thousands of people decided

to make the trip to Oregon2,000 mile journeyPacked up their life into prairie

schoonersVery difficult and dangerous

The Oregon Trail

Rock Avenue

Manifest Destiny Many people began to believe that it

was the mission of the United States to spread freedom by occupying the entire continentBelieved that God set the United States

apart for a special purpose: To extend its boundaries

“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” James K. Polk campaign slogan

(Election of 1844) Tension between the US and Britain

about where Canada border should be set

Compromise set boundary at 49N latitude

Answer the Essential Question How did the belief in Manifest Destiny

influence Western settlement?

Painting Analysis 1. What do you see in the picture? Describe the details.

2. What do you think the painter is trying to say in this painting?

3. List three things you think the painter has shown you that are important to his message.

4. What are two images in this painting that you think might not appeal to a viewer today.

5. Write a question to the painter that you think is not answered by his painting.

Independence for Texas Essential Question:

Why did Texas fight for their independence from Mexico?

Land Grants People living in Texas

TejanosNative Americans (Comanche, Apache,

Kiowa) Mexico wanted to attract farmers and

settlers – offered large land grantsAttracted many people from the United

States

Growing Tension Growing number of Americans alarmed

Mexican governmentStopped all US immigration through TexasDiscouraged trade with US through Taxes

New policies angered TexansDepended on US tradeMexican government planned to abolish slavery

which angered slave holders Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna overthrows

Mexican government and war seems unavoidable

The Struggle for Independence The Battle of the Alamo

Santa Anna marched toward San Antonio angry that Texans had captured it

Attacked small force of Texans barricaded inside a small mission called the Alamo

After 12 days, Santa Anna entered the Alamo and killed all defenders

The battle bought Texans much needed time

Texas Declares Independence Texans declared their independence

under leadership of Sam Houston Battle Cry: “Remember the Alamo!” 1836 – Texans captured Santa Anna

who signed a peace treaty

The Lone Star Republic Andrew Jackson refused to annex

Texas Would upset the balance between slave

states and free states Texans elected Sam Houston

president

The Road to Statehood Difficulty with Mexico and fear of

upsetting the balance between slave states and free states caused many presidents to avoid annexing Texas

1844 – James K. Polk favored annexation of Texas due to the growing popularity of the idea of Manifest DestinyTexas joined the Union in 1845

The New Mexico Territory Many saw New Mexico as the

Manifest Destiny of the United States California was settled by Mexicans but

many Americans began to talk about adding it to the UnionMild climateNatural resourcesPacific Ocean offered

protection and trade

War with Mexico War broke out between the US and

Mexico President Polk saw California and

New Mexico as part of the United States

After much fighting, US controlled California and captured Mexico City1847 – Mexican government surrendered

The United States Expands Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Mexico gives up claim to TexasRio Grande decided as borderMexican Cession: U.S. bought California

and New Mexico for $15 million 1853 – Gadsden Purchase: U.S.

bought strip of land for $10 million that expanded the country to its present size (mainland)

Making Connections How did Mexican lands in the West become

part of the United States?

Why did James K. Polk and the American people hesitate to annex Texas? Why did they finally support the annexation of Texas?

Answer the Essential Question: Why did Texans fight for their independence from Mexico?

California Essential Question:

What factors affected the settlement of California?

American Diary From early 1848 – when John Sutter

discovered gold in California – until late 1849, the population of California increased form 15,000 to 100,000. Wild-eyed prospectors came from all over the world. “Farmers left their fields untilled and went off… workmen quit their jobs without notice… In every town… one might buy gold-seekers’ manuals, guides and maps.”

From The Way Our People Lived

California Gold Rush Discovery of Gold in 1848 led to rapid

growthForty-ninersOregon Trail or Santa Fe TrailMany Californios lost their land

Boomtowns (San Francisco)

Gold Rush Most forty-niners had no experience

miningAttacked hillsides with pickaxes and shovels“Washed” and “panned” over streambedsMost found little or no goldMany lost what they found gambling and

spending wildly Boomtown merchants

Could charge whatever they wanted for supplies

Made huge profits

Gold Rush Society Mining camps: Many men and few

women Men spent free time drinking, gambling

and fighting No police or prisons led to formation of

vigilantes

Economic and Political Progress Many people who arrived looking for

gold eventually settled Leads to growth in agriculture, trade

and business Rapid population growth caused

desire for statehoodCalifornia joins the Union in 1850

Making Connections How did the Gold Rush affect

California’s population?

Answer the Essential Question: What factors affected the settlement of California?