1. Chapter 9.2 Notes
Goal 2

3. Manifest Destiny
Most Americans assumed US would eventually extend to Pacific Ocean and even all of North America
Expansion fever was big after Louisiana Purchase(1803), died down for bit following War of 1812 but picked up again in 1840’s
Concept of “manifest destiny” starts around 1845: phrase that means it was the destiny of US to expand to the Pacific Ocean and into Mexican Territory (God wants us to do it)

4. Why move West?
Economic Problems back east, seeking new job opportunities and a fresh start
Abundance of Land (farming or speculation/selling/real estate)
New Markets (new/more people to buy stuff)
Trade with foreign countries such as easier is faster from Pacific Coast

6. Black Hawk War
Settlers moving west means more conflicts with Native Americans
1830s in Western Illinois pressure was put on Native Americans by Settlers to move west of Mississippi
Native Americans tribes got together and rebelled against settlers, led by Chief Black Hawk of the Sauk tribe
Ends in August 1832 when Illinois militia killed more than 200 members of the Sauk and Fox tribes
Results in tribes pushed past Mississippi River

7. Trails West
Travelers often banded together and went in covered wagons with all of their belongings, took several months
Santa Fe Trail: One of busiest pathways west, 780 miles from Independence, MO to Santa Fe, NM
Oregon Trail: from Independence, MO to Portland, OR set up by Methodist missionaries who established churches in OR. Goal was to get to Willamette Valley

9. Mormon Migration Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Founded by Joseph Smith in 1827 in NY
Moved out west due to discrimination (many against some of their beliefs)
First settled in Illinois but then moved further west
Brigham Young become new leader after Smith’s death
Group eventually settles around the Great Salt Lake in Utah

10. 54’ 40’ or Fight!
GB and US had shared Oregon territory for several years, due to Rush-Baggot Agreement and Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Many wanted OR just for US
Became election issue in 1844 and was platform for Democrat nominee James K. Polk
Slogan was 54’40’ or Fight (referring to latitude/longitude lines)
Demand that GB either give US border we wanted or else!
Some tension but finally decided on 49th parallel as border in 1846