Manifest Destiny: America Spreads West
How and why did America keep expanding? Then (1700’s) Now
Causes of American Expansion Farmers looking for new lands to grow crops Adventurers seeking gold and glory Manifest Destiny- US is destined to stretch from coast to coast Missionaries hoping to tame the wild natives Settlers looking for a fresh start (religious or economic reasons)
1803- Louisiana Purchase Pres. Jefferson buys Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million Doubles the size of the United States
Trails West Courageous settlers seeking new lands, religious freedom, and gold travel farther west Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Santa Fe Trail
1836 US farmers in Texas overthrow Mexican Government Mexican gov. invites US farmers to colonize lands to raise income Mexico is anti-slavery Settlers bring slaves US Texans declare independence, win fight against Mexican Army 1845 Texas becomes a US state
Mexican-American War 1845-1847 President Polk sends US troops to Texas, Mexico border- fighting breaks out Better supplied and trained US troops defeat Mexican Army New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California taken from Mexico
Settling West The 49ers- Gold seekers move west in hopes of getting lucky Build towns, gamble, violent lifestyles Mormons seek religious freedom Religious group forced to move west, attacked for beliefs Settle in Utah (Salt Lake City) Families searching for cheap land to grow crops Adventurers and fur traders
Expansion creates conflict Western Native Tribes Settlers move into native lands Natives fight back US military force natives onto reservations
Expansion creates conflict Mexico American and Mexican culture clash During war American Settlers take lands from Mexicans- used for cheap labor Culture conflict still effects us today
Expansion creates conflict Slave States Vs. Non-Slave states North doesn’t want slavery to expand, southern farmers rely on slave labor Missouri Compromise (1820) Should Missouri become a free state or slave state? Missouri enters as slave state Maine becomes a free state- keeping the balance Slavery prohibited north of Missouri (36th parallel) By mid 1800’s the expansion of new lands creates violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups- prelude to civil war
Missouri Compromise Map (1820)