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*Manifest DestinyThe U.S. government and its citizens believed

that the nation’s “destiny” or fate was to expand westward from sea to sea. 8.6C

*Treaty of Paris 1783

The Treaty of Paris had given the United States lands west to the Mississippi and north to Canada.

*Northwest Ordinance*Orderly procedure for

establishing territories and applying for statehood.*As a territory grew in population it gained rights to self-government*At least 5,000 men who owned at least 50 acres*60,000 people must live there to apply for statehood.

8.6A R

*Louisiana Purchase 1803*The Louisiana Purchase spurred the desire

to move west across the country.

*Roots of Manifest Destiny*Economic –

*New land for farmers*New trade routes and markets (Santa Fe Trail)*New opportunities to start a business*Political – *Expansion of our nation’s borders/territory*Expansion of slavery*Social – *Remove Native Americans*Refuge for persecuted groups (Mormons)

8.6B R

“American Progress” by John Gast 1872

Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way – by Emanueal Leutze 1861

*Annexation of Texas

8.6D R

*Texas*The new Mexican republic (free from Spain) wanted

to draw more people to Texas*Settlers were promised land*These settlers outnumbered Tejanos and often ignored Mexican laws (slavery had been outlawed by Spain in 1652)*Texas revolution began in 1835 *Texas won its independence, but independence was not recognized by Mexico*In 1837 Texas asked the U.S. to annex it – Jackson and Van Buren worried because it supported slavery*New land became a worry to several presidents*John Tyler supported annexation, but did not win re-election

*James Knox Polk

11th President1845-1849Democrat

*James Polk *President Polk quickly set out to acquire new lands. He had a great desire to expand the U.S.*Texas Congress approved the annexation of Texas in 1845 and it became the 28th state.*This angered the Mexican government*They considered Texas a “stolen province”

*Tensions rise*The border of Texas was heavily disputed between Mexico and the U.S. *President Polk sent out General Zachary Taylor with troops to the border to protect from a possible attack*Polk sent diplomats to Mexico City, to see about the border and offer to pay for California, but they refused to meet with them. *A Mexican commander insisted General Taylor remove his troops – Taylor refused*Mexican soldiers attacked, killed 11 Americans, wounded 5, captured the rest*Two days later, Congress declared war*This was considered a “War of Aggression” by many Americans

*U.S. – Mexican War

*U.S. – Mexican War*U.S. asked for

volunteers to fight – got more than needed*First war fought

on foreign soil*Americans fought

several battles and won the majority*U.S. finally

captured the Mexican capital

*Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo*This ended the war*Grants the U.S. the

Mexican territory of New Mexico, Arizona and California

*Gadsden Purchase*The U.S. paid Mexico $10 million to help repay Mexico for the

annexation of Texas in 1845*This fixed the southern border of the U.S.*This also opened up a warmer, southern route to the west.

*Oregon Territory*In the early 1800s Oregon was

occupied by American Indians*Great Britain, Russia, Spain and

the U.S. all had claims in this land*1819 – Adams-Onis Treaty –

Spain gave up lands beyond the northern border of what is now California*1824 – Russia signed a treaty

with the U.S.*Many Americans had moved to

this land and desired statehood*1846 – U.S. and Great Britain

signed the Oregon Treaty – this set the boundary between the U.S. and Canada

*Oregon Trail

*Rumors of rich farmland, forests, rivers full of fish and a good climate drew many settlers to the West.*It was a long hard journey by wagon

train, but many Americans journeyed west.

*California*The discovery of gold in

California sparked a massive immigration to that area

*“Go west young man, go west!”*The rush of settlers pushed many

American Indians off their lands*The population of California quickly rises

to the amount required for statehood*California’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean

led to an increase of Asian immigrants as well

Native Americans attacked mining outposts and towns

San Francisco 1850

8.11A R

*Why go West? *Settlers had many reasons for heading west.

*Some moved for a better way of life – more land – freedom from cities*Some moved due to religious persecution (Joseph Smith -

Mormons moved to Utah)*Due to the Second Great Awakening – many missionaries

moved west to try to convert Native Americans to Christianity

*Wagon Trails West

*Wagon Trails West

*Railroads*The boom of California

and the economy of the East required transportation to and from.*The Rocky Mountains were

a barrier to travel*The southern route of the

Transcontinental Railroad went through the Gadsden Purchase area. Other railroads were soon established.*This building of railroads

made travel and trade easier from East to West

*Growth and Customs*Westward expansion of the U.S. made

many new cities and expanded old cities*Many immigrants from East to West and

even other countries contributed to the customs of our country

*Areas Acquired by the U.S.

8.6E