America establishes its boundaries Westward Expansion 1801-1861 America establishes its boundaries Between 1801 and 1861, exploration was encouraged as America underwent vast territorial expansion and settlement. Westward migration was influenced by geography and economic opportunity.

Manifest Destiny Manifest destiny refers to the widely held belief that the United States system is better than any other Therefore, the United States had both a right and a duty to spread out across the entire continent. American expansion was inevitable, necessary, and had been ordained by God! Used to justify American westward expansion into areas such as Texas, Oregon, and California.

“Go West Young Man!” Horace Greeley-1845 To encourage settlement, Congress passed the Homestead Act (1862) Any adult citizen – including freed slaves – who had never taken up arms against the Union could claim160 acres of “public” land, but in order to get the title, they had to Make “improvements” (build a house and cultivate the land) Live there for five years

The Oregon Trail Between 1840 and 1860, the Oregon Trail was the main pathway for American’s heading for new lands and opportunity on the frontier. More than 400,000 pioneers traveled the 2,000 mile trail that started in Missouri and ended in Oregon or California. It was a dangerous and difficult journey - travelers braved everything from disease outbreaks and wagon accidents to arid deserts, rushing river crossings, and bad weather.

Donner Party took a split off a well traveled path thinking it was a shortcut got trapped in the mountains with little food survivors resorted to cannibalism to survive shows hardships pioneers faced on their way out west

Santa Fe Trail After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, the Santa Fe Trail was born. Trader William Becknell set out from Franklin, Mo., on a 900 mile route to Santa Fe where he found great trade opportunities The Santa Fe Trail had its own unique dangers for travelers. It passed through Apache and Comanche lands. (These NA Tribes were warlike and weren't happy about Americans in their lands), Water was scarce, the wide, flat landscape offered few places to take shelter from sudden, fierce windstorms or rainstorms, and rattlesnake bites were deadly.

Texas TEXAS was part of Mexico Mexico had won independence from Spain in 1821 Mexico’s government was unstable and neglected the sparsly populated northern territories Mexico began to encourage settlement in Texas if settlers met 3 conditions: became Mexican citizens adopted Catholicism followed Mexican constitution… NO SLAVERY!

Texas By 1835, 30,000 white settlers lived in TX outnumbered Tejanos (Hispanic population) 6 to 1 Began to ask for more autonomy (self-government) Steven Austin (founder of Austin, TX) went to Mexico City to talk to the Mexican president Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and was arrested This led to more cries for independence

The Alamo----Feb 23-Mar 6 1836 Old missionary where Texans fought for independence from Mexico Americans held out for 13 days before being overrun 200 Texans v. 1500-5000 Mexicans Santa Anna wanted everyone slaughtered Texas lost the battle in 1836 All the Texans were killed except for one woman and a few children

Goliad Massacre-March 27 1836 “The Other Alamo” Leader James Fannin 340-400 Texan prisoners captured and executed 28 men escaped

Texas Independance March 1836 - Texas declared its independence REMEMBER THE ALAMO becomes the rallying cry April 1836: Battle of San Jacinto - Mexico defeated Lone Star Republic created (Texas)

Battle of San Jacinto – April 21, 1836 Led by Sam Houston (will become the first President of Texas) and his military Mexico defeated Santa Anna captured

Election of 1844 James K. Polk ran for president with 3 goals: Gain conrol of Oregon Annex Texas Acquire California

Fighting for Oregon Russia, England, and USA claimed it England and USA almost went to war over it!!!!! Slogan: “54, 40 or Fight” applies to the disputed boundary of Oregon Outcome Compromise with GB at 49* latitude North outraged wanted all land

Westward Expansion Texas Annexation In December 1845 Texas entered the Union as a slave state but we had constant issues with Mexico over the border USA claimed border was Rio Grande river

Mexican-American War Mexican – American War (1846-1847) Polk was President we already had Texas; it was NOT gained in the war Fought to get more land Mexico saw this as an invasion (it was!) The U.S. defeated the Mexico easily… they were not prepared for war Mexico City was invaded; war over

Mexican-American War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – 1848 Ended the Mexican – American War Set the boundary of Mexico and Texas at the Rio Grande River Mexico lost about 1\3 of their land We paid $15 million to them The land gained from the treaty was called the Mexican Cession

Mexican-American War Before the treaty was passed a major issue was slavery expansion David Wilmot introduced the Wilmot Proviso that stated any land taken from Mexico would not have slaves It passed in the House but was defeated in the Senate

Westward Expansion California Gold Rush 1848: Gold is found in Sutter’s Mill CA once the news spreads, thousands of people “rush” to California in the hopes of getting rich the gold rushers were called Forty-Niners (1849) Outcome: In 1849 California applies for statehood 15 free and 15 slave states in the Senate what to do????

Westward Expansion Gadsden Purchase - 1853 More land purchased from Mexico - $10 million Bought for the purpose of building transcontinental railroad Finalized the border of the south

New territories added to the United States after 1801 Florida Spain gave Florida to the United States through a treaty. Texas Texas was added after it became an independent republic. Oregon The Oregon Territory was divided by the United States and Great Britain. California War with Mexico resulted in California and the southwest territory becoming part of the United States.

Manifest Destiny – Done!!!