1. Westward Expansion
Unit 7, Lesson 1

2. Manifest Destiny
Idea that Americans had a God-given right to conquer and civilize North America
This encouraged settlers to move west before, during, and after the Civil War
1. Economic—some went west for mining, ranching, and farming
2. Religious—Mormons, led by Brigham Young, went west to escape religious persecution

3. Reasons for Migration Population Increase
Economic—some went west for mining, ranching, and farming
Religious—Example: Mormons
Technological Advances

4. Frontier Life
Settlers dealt with isolation, loneliness, a rugged environment, and Native American attacks

5. Election of 1844 New President James K. Polk- committed to expansion
Van Buren versus Calhoun for the Democratic nomination
Van Buren, representing the north, opposed annexing Texas
Pro-slavery Calhoun supported annexing Texas
Unable to reach an agreement, he Democratic Convention eventually
Chose a dark horse (lesser known) candidate: James K. Polk
Polk promised to annex Texas as a new state
3. Polk promised to acquire California
4. Polk would end sharing the Oregon Territory with England

6. Expansion Begins After Polk’s election, the U.S. annexed Texas
Annexing Texas angered northerners because it opened new land to slavery
Also infuriated Mexico, which felt Texas was really theirs
Sam Houston became the first President of the Republic of Texas or Lone Star Republic
Houston applied for the annexation of Texas as a territory or as a new state
Presidents Jackson and van Buren both denied annexation requests
Opposition from northerners to the expansion of slavery
Opposition to the addition of five potential new slave states created from the Texas territories
Threat of war with Mexico
Fearing British involvement in Texas, President John Tyler worked to get Congress to admit Texas, but the Senate rejected his annexation treaty in 1844

7. Oregon Treaty
“Fifty-four Forty or Fight!”-this slogan stated the desire of Americans to own ALL of the Oregon Territory up to the 54° 40’ latitude line
Oregon Treaty- U.S. agreed to split the Oregon Territory with England at the 49° line; avoid conflict with Britain
Consequences:
Oregon: reached a settlement with the British to divide Oregon at the 49th parallel (the line established in 1818 for the Louisiana Purchase)
The treaty went to the Senate at the same time war broke out with Mexico
The treaty was approved to avoid a war with Britain at the same time as a war with Mexico
Northerners were upset that more land for future free states was not obtained, especially after Texas had been annexed