Westward Expansion Unit 7, Lesson 1

Manifest Destiny Idea that Americans had a God-given right to conquer and civilize North America This encouraged settlers to move west before, during, and after the Civil War 1. Economic—some went west for mining, ranching, and farming 2. Religious—Mormons, led by Brigham Young, went west to escape religious persecution

Reasons for Migration Population Increase Economic—some went west for mining, ranching, and farming Religious—Example: Mormons Technological Advances

Frontier Life Settlers dealt with isolation, loneliness, a rugged environment, and Native American attacks

Election of 1844 New President James K. Polk- committed to expansion Van Buren versus Calhoun for the Democratic nomination Van Buren, representing the north, opposed annexing Texas Pro-slavery Calhoun supported annexing Texas Unable to reach an agreement, he Democratic Convention eventually Chose a dark horse (lesser known) candidate: James K. Polk Polk promised to annex Texas as a new state 3. Polk promised to acquire California 4. Polk would end sharing the Oregon Territory with England

Expansion Begins After Polk’s election, the U.S. annexed Texas Annexing Texas angered northerners because it opened new land to slavery Also infuriated Mexico, which felt Texas was really theirs Sam Houston became the first President of the Republic of Texas or Lone Star Republic Houston applied for the annexation of Texas as a territory or as a new state Presidents Jackson and van Buren both denied annexation requests Opposition from northerners to the expansion of slavery Opposition to the addition of five potential new slave states created from the Texas territories Threat of war with Mexico Fearing British involvement in Texas, President John Tyler worked to get Congress to admit Texas, but the Senate rejected his annexation treaty in 1844

Oregon Treaty “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!”-this slogan stated the desire of Americans to own ALL of the Oregon Territory up to the 54° 40’ latitude line Oregon Treaty- U.S. agreed to split the Oregon Territory with England at the 49° line; avoid conflict with Britain Consequences: Oregon: reached a settlement with the British to divide Oregon at the 49th parallel (the line established in 1818 for the Louisiana Purchase) The treaty went to the Senate at the same time war broke out with Mexico The treaty was approved to avoid a war with Britain at the same time as a war with Mexico Northerners were upset that more land for future free states was not obtained, especially after Texas had been annexed