Westward Expansion Manifest Destiny

Louisiana Purchase Why did Napoleon sell it? What kind of a constitutional dilemma did this pose for Jefferson? Strategic Significance What were the objectives of the the Corps of Discovery led by Lewis & Clark? Impact of the exploration

Trails West – Santa Fe

Oregon Trail

Oregon trail Trail blazed by two Methodist missionaries in 1836 Marcus & Narcissa Whitman Prairie schooners Eventually killed by Indians they went to proselytize

Donnor Party Ill-fated Donnor Party became stuck in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Many starved Some resorted to cannibalism Controversy surrounding how they ended up on that pass.

Donnor Party Campsite

Mormon migration & Deseret The Mormons were a religious group founded by Joseph Smith in 1827. They were persecuted due to their beliefs about polygamy & church & state. Brigham Young led the Mormons to Utah after severe persecution.

Austin’s Settlement of Texas Why did Mexico allow Austin and his followers settle in Mexico? What conditions did the settlers agree to? What were the pull factors that attracted the settlers to Texas? What happened to sour Mexican policy toward the settlers?

Calls for Independence Despite peaceful relations between Tejanos & Anglos differences arose between the Texans & the Mexican gov Austin presented a petition to Santa Anna for greater self-gov Santa Anna had him jailed & suspended local powers in Texas. Santa Anna marched to put down the rebellion First confrontation took place at the Alamo. Texans were trying to stall Santa Anna so that…

Texas Revolution Lt Colonel Wm Travis moved his men into the Alamo to keep Santa Anna from moving North. Eventually Santa Anna subdued the rebels & executed all 187 defenders. Later he executed 300 at Goliad. San Houston won battle at San Jacinto with shouts of “Remember the Alamo”. Captured Santa Anna and then set him free after he signed Treaty of Velasco. The US refused to annex Texas due to “sectional” divisions So Texas became an independent republic know as the Lone Star Republic?

The Alamo

Mexican-American War Pres Polk tried to negotiate the sale of Texas, New Mexico and California Mexicans refused. Polk ordered troops into disputed Mexican territory between the Nueces & Rio Grande Fremont violated Mexican territorial rights in CA. Mexico responded in border skirmish which left 11 Americans dead. Polk declared war. New Mexico fell without a shot being fired. Upper class Mexicans there joined the US.

Republic of California American settlers seized the town of Sonoma and declared CA the Bear Flag Republic. Mexicans gave up

Treaty of guadalupe-hidalgo 1848

What US Got from Treaty? Paid $15 million for the Mexican Cession Included the states of CA, NE, CO, UT, NM, AZ Mexico recognized the Rio Grande River as the southern border In 1853 US paid an additional $10 million for the Gadsden Purchase which was necessary for a southern railroad route

California Gold Rush 1849 James Marshall discovers gold on the Sacramento River at Sutter’s Mill. Led to one of the largest migrations ever in history Massive transfer of wealth ($2 billion) 49ers & Gold Fever Transformed the CA economy forever Boom and Ghost towns Chinese