Beyond the Mississippi

The Plains Indians

The Influence of Europeans The Spanish--Introduced the Horse Initially many native groups were unchanged by the horse and continued to farm. Initially many native groups were unchanged by the horse and continued to farm. Slowly, more and more became nomadic and followed the buffalo herds. Slowly, more and more became nomadic and followed the buffalo herds. Indians began to raid other tribes and warfare replaced peaceful coexistence. Indians began to raid other tribes and warfare replaced peaceful coexistence. The number of settled villages Declined The number of settled villages Declined

Hispanic North America

Overview Initially, most considered the Louisiana Purchase “Indian Country,” but Americans continued to want more and more land. The Spanish holdings in North America were looked at increasingly.

Spain’s Empire in North America Consisted of Mexico, New Mexico, Texas and California. Spanish had colonized the territories by building a network of mission-forts (presidios).

Mexican Independence 1821 Mexico won independence from Spain The new government secularized the missions New Mexico, California and Texas began to trade more with the US. This created strong economic ties.

Texas and Independence 1822 The first group of American settlers led by Stephen Austin entered the Texas Territory with the permission of the Mexican government. Initially Mexicans encouraged the American colonization of TX Worried they’d lose TX, Mexico prohibited any more Americans from entering TX and banned slave importation.

Stephen Austin

1835--More than 30,000 Americans were living in TX and began to demand more political power General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico and stripped the territories of their self government rights Soon after Texans and Mexicans clashed and the Texas War for Independence began.

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Texas War for Independence Santa Anna sought to squash the rebellion quickly. The Alamo Spanish mission in San Antonio Spanish mission in San Antonio Texans had taken it and 200 were holed up there. Texans had taken it and 200 were holed up there. Santa Anna attacked with 4,000 men and laid siege to the for for 13 days. Santa Anna attacked with 4,000 men and laid siege to the for for 13 days.

The flag that was flown at the Alamo

The Alamo

No prisoners were taken and 180 Texans and Americans died including Col. William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett. No prisoners were taken and 180 Texans and Americans died including Col. William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett. The Goliad Presidio 300 Texans surrendered under the guaranteed of being treated as POW’s. 300 Texans surrendered under the guaranteed of being treated as POW’s. Santa Anna violated the agreement and had them shot. Santa Anna violated the agreement and had them shot.

March 2, 1836, Texas declared the founding of the Republic of Texas. The outlook, however, was dim. San Jacinto River April 21, Texans under Sam Houston surprised Santa Anna. April 21, Texans under Sam Houston surprised Santa Anna. Crying “Remember the Alamo,” they routed the Mexicans in minutes. Crying “Remember the Alamo,” they routed the Mexicans in minutes. Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign a treaty granting Texas independence. Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign a treaty granting Texas independence. Fall 1836, Sam Houston was elected as the first President of Texas.

Sam Houston

Trails to the West

Overview After the Lewis and Clark Expedition, many Americans became interested in the Oregon Country

Missionaries and Traders Churches began to send missionaries to the region to convert the natives. Mountain Men—began to roam the Rockies and trap fur. Many lived like Indians.

Oregon Trail 1843—Settlers starting heading to the Oregon Country along Indian trails explored by the mountain men. Left from Independence, Missouri Traveled 2,000 miles across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains for 4-6 weeks. Motivated by: Land Land Trade Trade The Challenge The Challenge

Achieving Manifest Destiny

Overview 1840s—Americans began dreaming of an empire that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific—Manifest Destiny

Annexation of Texas 1836—Texans voted to be annexed by the US. Southerners welcomed it. Northerners opposed it. Santa Anna warned the annexation would be considered a declaration of war. March 1845 Congress approved the Annexation Dec Texas became the 28 th state.

Mexican War Prelude to War March 1845—Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the US. March 1845—Mexico broke diplomatic relations with the US. US claimed the Rio Grande was the border. Mexico claimed the Nueces River was the border. US claimed the Rio Grande was the border. Mexico claimed the Nueces River was the border. President Polk hoped to gain the territory b/w TX and the Pacific. President Polk hoped to gain the territory b/w TX and the Pacific. Polk Sent 3K under Zachary Taylor into the disputed border area. Polk Sent 3K under Zachary Taylor into the disputed border area. Mexico saw the advance as an invasion, and engaged the Americans. Mexico saw the advance as an invasion, and engaged the Americans. May 13, 1846—Congress declared war May 13, 1846—Congress declared war

Bear Flag Revolt While Congress declared war, a force under John C. Fremont moved into CA. While Congress declared war, a force under John C. Fremont moved into CA. B/4 the news of the war came, American settlers in CA attacked the Mexican forces and declared the Republic of CA (Flag w/ a grizzly bear and a star) B/4 the news of the war came, American settlers in CA attacked the Mexican forces and declared the Republic of CA (Flag w/ a grizzly bear and a star) The rebels and US forces defeated the Mexicans and took control of New Mex. and CA. The rebels and US forces defeated the Mexicans and took control of New Mex. and CA.

Fighting in Mexico Gen. Taylor defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista in Feb Gen. Taylor defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista in Feb Sept —Gen. Winfield Scott took Mexico City. Sept —Gen. Winfield Scott took Mexico City. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Feb 2, 1848 Mexico gave up TX and the Rio Grande became the border. Mexico gave up TX and the Rio Grande became the border. Mexico gave New Mex and CA (2/5 of its terr.) to the US. Mexico gave New Mex and CA (2/5 of its terr.) to the US. The US paid Mexico $15 million The US paid Mexico $15 million US agreed to pay claims made by Americans against Mexico. US agreed to pay claims made by Americans against Mexico.

General Winfield Scott

Mormons Settle Utah Settled Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young Founded Salt Lake City

California Gold Rush Jan 1848—gold was discovered on John Sutter’s land. Americans rushed west by the thousands and became known as “forty-niners.” Boom towns appeared overnight and became ghost towns just as quickly.

A boom town; Silver Cliff-1883