More Chapter 13 Notes

Railroads- Early Improvements Early 1800s- development in England spreads to U.S. Early trains powered by wind, horses The Tom Thumb runs at 18 m.p.h.!!

Railroads- Early Improvements Despite early fears of speed, fire, explosion, trains quickly replace canals as the fastest mode of transportation

Railroads- Early Improvements Every town wanted a railroad Some towns even moved or died depending on the route of the railroad “Zig-Zag” routes- towns paid the railroad to come to their town instead of the straightest route

Transcontinental Railroad As America spread westward, a railroad to the west coast was desperately needed, wanted The issue of which route to take was complicated by North vs. South tensions Wherever the eastern terminus was would benefit- $$$ and power

Transcontinental Railroad After southern secession, Pacific Railway Act in 1862 provided federal $$ to build railroad from California to Omaha

Transcontinental Railroad A great race was begun- railroads were paid by the mile built Central Pacific built East from Sacramento Union Pacific built West from Omaha

I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad Thousands of workers needed for the manual labor of laying ties, rails Chinese and Irish Immigrants used for work ethic, cheap pay

I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad Rough and rowdy crews- “Hell on Wheels” Built up to 10 miles per day Dangerous work- many injuries, deaths

I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad May 10, Golden spike driven to complete the Transcontinental RR at Promontory Point, Utah

Effects on Westward Expansion Railroads brought to/from the West: – People, including many immigrants – Goods – Money – Transportation – Sold land for settlement – Made the “Wild” West much more accessible to the average person

Texas Revolution- Spanish Texas Spain controlled Texas There were actually more Native Americans and Americans than Spanish living there To attract more settlers Spain gave a land grant to Moses Austin to start a colony

Texas Revolution- Mexican Independence Changes Texas Mexico gains independence from Spain Mexico gave permission to Stephen F. Austin, Moses’s son to continue colony By 1830 over 30,000 people lived in Texas- mostly American settlers

Texas Revolution- Mexican Independence Changes Texas Tensions between Americans and Mexicans: – Language – Slavery – Taxes – Mexico closed Texas to American immigration

Texas vs. Mexico- Remember the Alamo! Austin goes to Mexico city to try to work out their differences Meets w/ President General Santa Anna Santa Anna refuses Austin’s requests, jails him for a year

Texas vs. Mexico- Remember the Alamo! Armed rebellion breaks out in 1835 Texans appoint Sam Houston as leader of Texas Army

Texas vs. Mexico- Remember the Alamo! Feb ,800 Mexicans surround 183 Texans inside the Alamo- an old mission building William Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett Texans held off attack for 12 days before being overrun

Texas Independence Battle of San Jacinto- Texans strike back and do a sneak attack on the Mexican Army Santa Anna is forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its independence Texas was an independent nation for 10 years!

War with Mexico- Troubles Mexico still claimed part of Texas-dispute over where the border was President James K. Polk offers to buy CA, TX, and NM for $25 million but is refused

Troubles with Mexico General Zachary Taylor leads U.S. troops to the border and is attacked by Mexicans Congress, urged on by Polk, declares war on Mexico in 1846

Capturing NM, CA General Stephen Kearny leads troops west on the Santa Fe Trail and peacefully takes over NM In CA, a group of rebels leads the Bear Flag Revolt and declares CA independent

The Invasion of Mexico War lasted from Americans led by Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott General Santa Anna led 15,000 soldier Mexican Army Americans won major battles at Buena Vista and Mexico City Many future Civil War generals got their first military experience there

The Mexican Cession War officially ends with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico agrees Texas is part of U.S. Mexico gives U.S. CA, NV, UT, AZ, CO, WY U.S. pays Mexico $15 Million Promised to protect Mexicans living in Cession areas Gadsden Purchase- U.S. buys one more strip of land in Southern AZ and NM for $10 Million