Westward Expansion Chapter 5, Sections 1 and 2

Settling the Spanish Borderlands New Mexico was the oldest colony in Spain’s territory in the United States. However, due to the neighboring Native American tribes, they never expanded their population. Often times, the Native American tribes would raid the neighboring Spanish settlements. The two groups often competed over control of the surrounding buffalo populations. The Spanish would try and negotiate with the tribes by exchanging gifts and weapons.

Settling the Spanish Borderlands New Mexico’s sister colony, Texas, was not as populated; it was only meant to act as a buffer for the resources and towns of Mexico. The Spanish also looked to acquire California to act as a buffer to Russian fur traders. However, just like with Texas, settling the territory was difficult because it was so far away from Mexican markets. In order to help increase the population, the Spanish tried to convert Native Americans to Christianity.

Americans Look Westward In 1821, a revolution eliminated Spanish rule in Mexico and Mexico became an independent country. With a new nation to the south, American expansionists, those who favored expanding U.S. borders looked to the old Spanish territories. The Mexican government and economy were both weak and ripe for being taken. Journalist John O’Sullivan coined the phrase Manifest Destiny to describe the belief that God wanted the U.S. to own all of North America.

Americans Look Westward With Mexico’s new independence came a new opportunity for trade. Traders from Missouri linked to the capital city of Santa Fe to form valuable trade networks. This trade link became known as the Santa Fe Trail. Young trappers often crossed the Rocky Mountains to trade their furs. __________________________ became the first to create a trade route that linked the U.S. with the Pacific Coast. Another notable westward route was the Oregon Trail, established by two missionaries. The trail would start in Independence, Missouri and would split; one part branched off just north of Utah to continue into California, the other continued north into the Oregon Territory.

The Journey Westward The journey westward often consisted of thousands of miles and 5 months to complete. The canvas covered wagons traveled in caravans of 50-1,000 people. The journey had to be timed just right in order to make it across the Rockies well before the harsh winter. One notable group, the Donner Party, lost their way and ultimately resorted to cannibalism.

The Journey Westward After Joseph Smith was killed, the Mormons set out to find a place in the west to call their own. Led by Brigham Young, they ultimately settled near the Great Salt Lake. They sustained themselves, and grew as a community. As more and more people moved westward, the federal government enacted the Treaty of Fort Laramie to restrict the Native Americans from living along the major trails.

D E S R T

Texas Wins Independence The small Hispanic population living in Texas was known as tejanos. Since Texas was the most vulnerable of the Mexican buffers, the Mexicans decided to adopt a strategy of inviting white settlers into Texas. In exchange for cheap land grants, American settlers had to do the following: Become Mexican citizens; Worship as Roman-Catholics; Accept the Mexican constitution, which banned slavery. Emigrants began to move into Texas, led by Stephen F. Austin. They soon outnumbered tejanos 6 to 1.

Texas Wins Independence Tensions between the white Texans and the Mexican government grew. The settlers did not live up to their end of the bargain. When the Mexican government was overthrown by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his coup, both Texas and Santa Anna hoped for greater autonomy, or independent control over affairs.

Texas Wins Independence One year later, Texans revolted against Santa Anna’s government. They became an independent republic known as the Lone Star Republic. Santa Anna led his troops into Texas and attacked the former mission known as the Alamo. Here, he killed notable pioneers Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Instead of being frightened into surrender, the Texans adopted the rallying cry “Remember the Alamo” and went after Santa Anna, led by Sam Houston. Upon capture, Santa Anna signed a treaty granting Texas independence and allowing them to expand their borders westward to the Rio Grande River.

Americans Debate Expansion The first president of the Lone Star Republic became Sam Houston. Houston quickly wanted Texas to become annexed by the United States. In the 1844 election, the issue of expansion became key. James K. Polk favored expansion and his opponent, Henry Clay, was against it. Underlining the debate was once again, the issue of slavery. In order to secure northern support, Polk promised to also acquire the Oregon Territory from the British. This promise gave him the victory. However, Polk fell short on his promise—instead of acquiring the whole Oregon Territory, Polk only acquired to the 49th parallel. The opposition rallied behind the cry, “54° 40’ or fight!”

The Mexican-American War When the United States annexed Texas in 1845, tensions between the U.S. and Mexico boiled over. The U.S. sent Zachary Taylor to defend the land between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers.

After Congress declared war, victory for the U. S. was quick After Congress declared war, victory for the U.S. was quick. The advantages of the U.S. over Mexico included: Larger, wealthier, more populous; Better navy; Superior officers, such as Taylor and Winfield Scott. The United States won every major battle in the Mexican-American War. In 1848, Mexico surrendered to the United States and gave up the upper 1/3 of their country via the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.