The Allure of the West What made the American West so attractive to people, and the U.S government.

Social – Why did the West attracted so many people? The population was rapidly growing in the East, Americans were running out of room, they had to move West. Economic hardships (panics and depressions) in the East pushed Americans to the West. The West had and abundant, inexpensive, and often free, land. This not only attracted eastern Americans, but poor, landless Europeans as well.

Economic – What made the West attractive economically? The United States desired the West because the West coast would open up the United States to Asian markets. Eastern ports connected the U.S with Europe. The West meant we could expand our trading power globally.

Political - Why did the U.S government want to seize the West? &, The British had their eyes on the West as well. Prior to the Annexation of Texas, Britain had established a friendly relationship with the Republic of Texas. They were interested in trading with Texas and keeping the U.S from expanding West. In order to limit British influence in America, the United States decided to Annex Texas in Before Oregon was added to the United States, it was claimed by both the U.S and Great Britain. When James K. Polk ran for president, he claimed he wanted all of Oregon, his slogan was “Fifty four or fight!” This reference was to the 54 th parallel that was the northern border of the Territory. Once elected he negotiated with Britain and the territory was cut in half. The Southern part became Oregon.

“... our claim to Oregon would still be best and strongest. And that claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us.” John O’Sullivan New York Morning News, December 1845 The above excerpt reveals that Manifest Destiny became the official policy of the United States government.

MANIFEST DESTINY Rapid population growth Economic Depressions Inexpensive land Foreign Trade opportunities

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Named after the Northwest Territory. Established procedures for orderly western expansion. Banned slavery in the territory, and protected people’s basic rights of religion and trails by juries. Granted rights to territories when they reach certain population benchmarks 5,000 free males = local government 60,000 free males = statehood

A.Original United States, by Treaty of Paris 1783 B. Louisiana Purchase, 1803, from France. C.The Annexation of Texas, 1845 D.Mexican Cession, by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848 E.Oregon Territory, 1846 by negotiations with Britain F.Florida Purchase, from Spain, 1819 G.Maine’s Boundaries established 1842 H.Red River Cession, negotiations with Great Britain, 1818 J. Gadsden Purchase, from Mexico, 1853 The Gadsden Purchase was made to build the southern portion of the Transcontinental Railroad. It was built to help people settle the lands acquired by the Mexican War.

Mexican War Mexico cedes land to the United States. (Mexican Cession) 2. Border Dispute – The U.S said the border was the Rio Grande, Mexico said it was the Nueces river. 3. Polk places U.S troops along the Rio Grande. This led to a skirmish between U.S and Mexican soldiers. The U.S declared War on Mexico 1. Texas is officially recognized as apart of the United States. 2. The Rio Grande was established as the border between the two Countries. 1.Annexation of Texas created tensions between the U.S and Mexico.

More Effects of the U.S - Mexican War Once the United States had control of the Mexican Cession, it was opened up for settlement. This led to debates in Congress about the western spread of slavery. A compromised was reached in 1850 to settle the issue. Compromise of 1850 California would join the Union as free State. The Fugitive Slave law is passed. Texas is reduced in size. The remaining territory would be divided into the Utah, and New Mexico Territories. Popular sovereignty would determine the spread of slaver in these two territories.