1. California and the Southwest
New Mexico Territory
Included most of New Mexico and Arizona and parts of Nevada, Utah and Colorado
Santa Fe- the capital of New Mexico Territory
William Becknell
First American to travel to Santa Fe
His route was call the Santa Fe Trail because it ended in Santa Fe
*Americans were attracted to Santa Fe because it provided good opportunities for trade

2. California’s Missions and Ranches
Father Junipero Serra
Spanish missionary
built his first mission in San Diego
built over 20 missions along the California coast
Native Americans on Missions and Ranches
Were forced to work on mission land
herded sheep and cattle
raised crops
Vaqueros, Indian and Mexican cowhands who worked on the ranches did most of the work on Ranches

3. Manifest Destiny America wanted to purchase California from Mexico
wanted to gain control of the ports in San Francisco and San Diego
Americans also believed in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the U.S. should expand across the continent to the Pacific Ocean
*this idea caused problems between the U.S. and Mexico

4. Election of 1844 James K. Polk (Democrat)
Won the election of 1844 against Henry Clay because he favored expansion
Wanted to add Texas and Oregon to the United States
Polk demanded the whole region as far North as latitude 54 °40’ N. “Fifty four forty or Fight!” became his campaign slogan