1. US History Chapter 3 Section 3
Expansion Leads to Conflict

2. Main Idea
As Americans pushed westward, conflict erupted between Texas and Mexico

3. Reading Focus
How did the idea of Manifest Destiny influence Americans’ westward expansion?
How did Texas achieve independence from Mexico?
What were the causes-effects of the Mexican-American war?

5. Manifest Destiny
Many people believed it was their God-given right to settle land all the way to the Pacific Ocean
1840s-1850s: hundreds of thousands migrated to the west
Settlers used several trails to gain access to the west:
Santa Fe
Oregon
Mormon
Oregon Trail was the most widely used trail
Main three trails

6. Ever wonder how this football team was named?

7. California Gold Rush
1848- Gold was discovered at Sutter’s Sawmill in Northern California which prompted thousands to head to CA in search of gold “Gold Rush”
These people were called “49ers” and by 1849, 80K had moved to CA which allowed area to be eligible for statehood ( st state)
By An additional 300K people migrated from outside the US
WESTERN MIGRATION
1869- Increased railroad tracks caused decreased trail usage
The Oregon Treaty- Because so many Americans migrated to Oregon Territory, President Polk signed treaty with GB establishing boundary between US and present day Canada (49 degree)
Communication- first 18 months primary means was “Pony Express” but it was later replaced by the telegraph

11. Texas Independence
By Spain still remained in control of Texas but there were only three Spanish settlements actually there- Soon Americans would establish settlements
1820- Banker, Moses Austin (Missouri) worked deal with Spain to settle Texas but died before he could carry out plan
Moses’ son- Stephen Austin carried out his plan in 1823
Mexico required certain things in order to receive land rights:
> surrender US citizenship
> swear allegiance to Mexico
> hold land for 7 years
Since many Americans did not like this, Mexican government took steps to decrease American influence in the region
Texans wanted their independence from Mexico and declared their independence on March 2, 1836
Mexico gained independence in 1821

13. Battle of the Alamo
1836- Most famous of the Texas Revolution was at this San Antonio fort which was captured by American forces
Mexican President Antonio Lopez Santa Anna led a force of 6K soldiers to Alamo and demanded surrender
Commander of Texas Army, William Travis fired cannon at the Mexicans which initiated an exchange of gunfire for 12 days
March 6, 1836: 1800 Mexican Soldiers stormed the fort and killed all the soldiers inside the fort
Battle of San Jacinto: April 21, 1836: Near present day La Porte , TX- GEN Sam Houston defeats Mexican Army in short battle with the Battle cry “Remember the Alamo” and captures Santa Anna
Three weeks later, Santa Anna signs peace treaty recognizing Texas as independent country

14. Battle of the Alamo
In December 1835, during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio. On February 23, 1836, a Mexican force numbering in the thousands and led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began a siege of the fort. Though vastly outnumbered, the Alamo’s 200 defenders–commanded by James Bowie and William Travis and including the famed frontiersman Davy Crockett–held out courageously for 13 days before the Mexican invaders finally overpowered them. For Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became an enduring symbol of their heroic resistance to oppression and their struggle for independence, which they won later that year

15. Alamo

16. War with Mexico “Annexation of Texas”
Because Santa Anna signed the treaty while being held as a POW, Mexican government did not recognize treaty
Newly elected Texas president Sam Houston desired TX to join US as a state
South supports this because Texas supported slavery
North opposes this because of slavery and
did not want to take on war debt
December 29, 1845: Texas joins Union

17. Causes of Mexican-American War
Diplomatic relations failed between US and Mexico (Mexico still considered Texas as part of Mexico)
President Polk was in heavy favor of Annexation and even wanted more of Mexico territory (NM and CA)
Polk offered to pay for new territories plus wanted Mexico to recognize Rio Grande river as US/Mex border
Mexico refused to meet with US Representative then John Slidell / (Battle of Palo Alto occurred) so President Polk declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846
War had Begun
Battle of Palo Alto
(near Brownsville, TX)

18. Battl e map o page 111
Mex-amer war

19. 1846: Bear Flag Revolt- American rebels in present day California defeated Mexican military and on June 14, California declares itself independent but US Military would occupy and take control
1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago
Mexico United States
-Gives up claim to TX - Pays 15 Million to México
Cedes land to US (CA,NM - Drops 3 Mill war damage claim
NV,AZ,UT,CO,WY) Gadsden Purchase clarified treaty boundary

20. Gadsen Purchase