Unit 8 Westward Expansion and Slavery Roughly 1800 - 1860

People went west at different times and for different reasons.

The Republic of Texas Texas was its own country from 1836 to 1846.

The Republic of Texas Texas was its own country from 1836 to 1846. It won independence from Mexico after events including the Battle at the Alamo (where Mexico won, but it inspired the Texians to resist further).

The Republic of Texas Texas was its own country from 1836 to 1846. It won independence from Mexico after events including the Battle at the Alamo (where Mexico won, but it inspired the Texians to resist further). Eventually, the Republic of Texas was annexed, or  absorbed into the United States in 1846, while James K. Polk was president.

Oregon Territory The Oregon and Washington territory had been "shared" by the United States and Great Britain.  A boundary was finally agreed upon in 1846, again under President Polk. Land north of the line is now part of British Columbia, Canada.

Oregon Territory The Oregon and Washington territory had been "shared" by the United States and Great Britain.  A boundary was finally agreed upon in 1846, again under President Polk. Land north of the line is now part of British Columbia, Canada. According to the Missouri Compromise, Texas could be (and was) admitted as a slave state.  But Oregon was in the north, so it was guaranteed to be a free state. President Polk tried to satisfy both North and South by acquiring territory in both regions.

The Oregon Trail Even before the borders had been agreed upon, thousands of pioneers had already made the dangerous 2,000-mile trip from Missouri to Oregon on the famous Oregon trail.

The Oregon Trail Even before the borders had been agreed upon, thousands of pioneers had already made the dangerous 2,000-mile trip from Missouri to Oregon on the famous Oregon trail. The Oregon Trail was originally accessible only on foot.  Many improvements like roads, bridges, and ferries were built before the first wagon train could come in 1836.

Why Oregon? Reports from Zebulon Pike and Stephen Long called the Midwest "The Great American Desert."  They said it didn't have enough trees and was "unfit for human habitation."

Why Oregon? Reports from Zebulon Pike and Stephen Long called the Midwest "The Great American Desert."  They said it didn't have enough trees and was "unfit for human habitation." Additionally, the U.S. government had set aside those lands for Indian reservations (mostly because they didn't want the land), and made it illegal for non-Indians to settle there.

Why Oregon? Reports from Zebulon Pike and Stephen Long called the Midwest "The Great American Desert."  They said it didn't have enough trees and was "unfit for human habitation." Additionally, the U.S. government had set aside those lands for Indian reservations (mostly because they didn't want the land), and made it illegal for non-Indians to settle there. Oregon was the next best spot.  It had land free for the taking, with lots of rivers and trees, which meant good ground to grow crops and make a life for yourself.

Mormon Migration Since it was founded in 1820, the Mormon Church had been persecuted and kicked out of New York, Ohio, and Missouri.

Mormon Migration Since it was founded in 1820, the Mormon Church had been persecuted and kicked out of New York, Ohio, and Missouri. In 1844 (when James K. Polk got elected), the church's founder and prophet, Joseph Smith, was killed in Illinois.

Mormon Migration Since it was founded in 1820, the Mormon Church had been persecuted and kicked out of New York, Ohio, and Missouri. In 1844 (when James K. Polk got elected), the church's founder and prophet, Joseph Smith, was killed in Illinois. Seeking safety and religious freedom, the church's next leader, Brigham Young, led the Mormons west from Illinois into what was then Mexican territory: the Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah.  They settled there in 1847.

California California was part of Mexico until it was ceded (given up) to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War, which occurred while James K. Polk was in office. It became United States territory on February 2, 1848.

California California was part of Mexico until it was ceded (given up) to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War, which occurred while James K. Polk was in office. It became United States territory on February 2, 1848. Just a few weeks before, on January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill.  It took months for news to get back across the country, but when it did (around August), it started the California Gold Rush.

California California was part of Mexico until it was ceded (given up) to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War, which occurred while James K. Polk was in office. It became United States territory on February 2, 1848. Just a few weeks before, on January 24, 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill.  It took months for news to get back across the country, but when it did (around August), it started the California Gold Rush. So many people moved to California in search of gold that it was made into a state in 1850, which was a remarkably short time when compared to other states.

The Gold Rush

Summary of Part 1 The Republic of Texas was its own country from 1836 - 1846. Annexation is when a small country is absorbed by a big one. Texians lost the Battle of the Alamo, but won independence. The Oregon Territory was shared between Great Britain and the United states; it was split between the countries in 1846. The Missouri Compromise divided the country into North and South. Slavery was permitted in Texas, but not in Oregon. The Oregon Trail was the "road" from Missouri to Oregon. Pioneers are the first people to settle a new area (the West).

Summary of Part 1 People moved to Oregon because it had lots of land, good soil for crops, and because they couldn't settle in between Oregon and Missouri (the "Great American Desert" was Indian land). Under their leader Brigham Young, the Mormons started moving to present-day Utah in 1847 for religious freedom. California was ceded, or given up, to the U.S. in 1848 at the end of the Mexican-American War. The California Gold Rush started at Sutter's Mill, and led to thousands of people moving to California in search of wealth. So many people moved to California that it became a state in just two years, in 1850.