Aim: How did the trails help Westward Expansion?

Oregon Originally disputed by Spain, Russia, US, and England –Russia and Spain out of mix from old treaties Race to populate the region England had more legal rights to land, but US was winning population war “54’40 or Fight”!!!!!! Eventually, Polk settles with England at 49 th parallel,,, Why settle??? 49 th is what he expected/wanted all along- Polk’s brinksmanship

Oregon and Santa Fe Trails Both started in Independence MissouriBoth started in Independence Missouri –Central location –Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to get to the trail –Santa Fe Trail basically the route of Kearney’s army march in Mexican War Importance of TrailsImportance of Trails –Starting point –Supplies –Know route –Safety/speed –We needed to populate the region

What features stand out on the map? What is the purpose?

Dangers/Problems on the Trails! With a partner, come up with 5 problems or dangers that will exist along the trail system, and give a realistic (for the 1800’s) way to solve the problem!!!

Problems/Dangers along the Trails Health/sickness/disease/death Hostile Native Americans Robbers/bandits Wild animals Directions?? Temperature/climate/topography/Rocky Mountains Lack of supplies Heavy loads/slow trip (5 months)-Conestoga wagons Women and children Mormons (1857)- “Utah War”/ Mountain Meadow Massacre “Circle the Wagons” Donner Party –Yummy!!!!!!

Squatter’s Rights (Adverse Possession) Original policy by US government in 1830’s and 1840’s –People could settle on public lands, then buy the property later when the government needed to sell it –Rewards productive use of the land Problems of this policy –Fighting for land –Legal claims?

Homestead Act (1862) US government gave 160 acres of land basically for free –$10 registration fee –Person must live on the land –5 years to make improvements to the land  Why US created this policy?  Desperate need to populate the region  Protection/defense  Tax base  Spread out the population  Civil War importance-1862!!

Land Rush What land did the US give away? –Midwest –Usually not the best land –Parts of Oklahoma (again screwing the Natives!) Land Rushes- late 1800’s –“Stake your claim” –“Oklahoma Sooners”

California Gold Rush non-Indian population of Cal. Was 700 people , , Sutter’s Mill- near San Francisco Difference between California and other Western migration –California - the rest –Single males-families/ starting farms –Boom or bust-long term settlements –“GOLD DIGGERS” IMPORTANCE OF CALIFORNIA –Agriculture/Gold –Pacific Ocean –Giant size- population and land mass –Split US population- early statehood –Potential problem of statehood?