1. Westward Expansion

2. Why Go West? Money: the West offers a chance to earn money and new job opportunities Land: the West offers a chance to own land (cheap and abundant) Religion: missionaries wish to convert Native Americans to Christianity Adventure: some people were bored at home Manifest Destiny: the US should control the North American Continent

3. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 1.Louisiana Purchase: Thomas Jefferson buys Louisiana from France for $15 million, doubling the size of the U.S.

4. Louisiana Purchase

5. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 2.The Lone Star Republic (Texas 1821-1836) Mexico gains independence from Spain in 1821 Mexico encourages Americans to come to Texas (1835- 20,000 Americans go) Soon American settlers become dissatisfied with Mexican rule (no slavery, religious, cultural difference) Texans rebel against Mexico (1836)

6. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny Texas gains independence from Mexico (1836) Alamo- “Remember the Alamo!” Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin Texas is an independent country until 1845 Texas is annexed by U.S. and becomes 28 th state

7. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 3.Oregon Country (1818- 1846) England and U.S. allow for joint occupation of the Oregon Country By 1845 over 5,000 Americans take the Oregon Trail west

8. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 1844- James K. Polk promises Oregon even at the cost of war with England Peaceful soultion is found in 1846 49 th parallel separates Canada and the US

9. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 4.The Mexican War US and Mexico argue over the boundary of Texas Mexico is resentful of the US annexation of Texas Skirmishes occur between US and Mexican troops Congress declares war in 1846

10. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny Mexican War is an easy victory for the US Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- US gains the Mexican Cession

11. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River Mexico gave the US California and New Mexico US gave Mexico $15 million

12. Mexican Cession

13. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 5.Discovery of Gold in California After the Mexican War gold was discovered near the sawmill of John Sutter This discovery ignited “gold fever” Forty-niners: 100,000people flock to California to strike it rich (Some become rich most do not) California becomes 31 st state in 1850

14. Steps Towards Manifest Destiny 6.The Gadsden Purchase (1853) A transcontinental railroad is proposed US buys a small piece of land where railroad to travel the entire country will be built $10 million

15. 1775- 13 Colonies

16. 1853- United States