1. Manifest Destiny: America Spreads West

2. How and why did America keep expanding?
Then (1700’s) Now

3. Causes of American Expansion
Farmers looking for new lands to grow crops
Adventurers seeking gold and glory
Manifest Destiny- US is destined to stretch from coast to coast
Missionaries hoping to tame the wild natives
Settlers looking for a fresh start (religious or economic reasons)

4. 1803- Louisiana Purchase
Pres. Jefferson buys Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million
Doubles the size of the United States

5. Trails West
Courageous settlers seeking new lands, religious freedom, and gold travel farther west
Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, Santa Fe Trail

6. 1836 US farmers in Texas overthrow Mexican Government
Mexican gov. invites US farmers to colonize lands to raise income
Mexico is anti-slavery Settlers bring slaves
US Texans declare independence, win fight against Mexican Army
1845 Texas becomes a US state

7. Mexican-American War 1845-1847
President Polk sends US troops to Texas, Mexico border- fighting breaks out
Better supplied and trained US troops defeat Mexican Army
New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California taken from Mexico

8. Settling West
The 49ers- Gold seekers move west in hopes of getting lucky
Build towns, gamble, violent lifestyles
Mormons seek religious freedom
Religious group forced to move west, attacked for beliefs
Settle in Utah (Salt Lake City)
Families searching for cheap land to grow crops
Adventurers and fur traders

9. Expansion creates conflict
Western Native Tribes
Settlers move into native lands
Natives fight back
US military force natives onto reservations

10. Expansion creates conflict
Mexico
American and Mexican culture clash
During war American Settlers take lands from Mexicans- used for cheap labor
Culture conflict still effects us today

11. Expansion creates conflict
Slave States Vs. Non-Slave states
North doesn’t want slavery to expand, southern farmers rely on slave labor
Missouri Compromise (1820)
Should Missouri become a free state or slave state?
Missouri enters as slave state
Maine becomes a free state- keeping the balance
Slavery prohibited north of Missouri (36th parallel)
By mid 1800’s the expansion of new lands creates violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups- prelude to civil war

12. Missouri Compromise Map (1820)