Chapter 9

Manifest Destiny

1. Migrating to the West

Trace the settlement and development of the West.

Explain the concept of Manifest Destiny. Describe the causes and challenges of

westward migration. Explain the causes and effects of the

Mexican War.

Southwest

Southwest had been settled by Spain in the 1500’s

Catholic missions; Mexico gained independence from Spain

Land is attractive to Americans Came at expense of Indians and Mexicans

Westward Movement

Expansionists – people who favored territorial growth Manifest Destiny – expansion west Trade with Mexico Santa Fe Trail Traded horses, mules, fur, silver for manufactured

goods Others went through Rockies – Mountain Men –

California Trail (to northern California) Oregon Trail branched off into Oregon

Westward Movement cont.

Wagon trains journey west Pulled by oxen; traveled in large groups Dangers - hunger, exposure, disease Donner party in Sierra Nevada Mormon leader, Brigham Young (Joseph

Smith had been killed) settles around the Great Salt Lake (later Utah)

Conflicts w/Indians

2. Texas & Mexican War

Texas was a Mexican province Americans migrate to Texas – cheap, fertile

land in exchange for being Mexican citizens, Catholics, no slavery

Stephen Austin leads settlers Tensions grow – Americans didn’t keep

bargain

Texas cont.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana seized power and wants greater autonomy over Texas

1835 – Texans revolt; create Lone Star Republic Mexican army attacked garrison at the Alamo;

overran fort and massacred all prisoners (Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie); second attack at Goliad

Enraged Americans – “Remember the Alamo!” http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/videos/the-alam

o Sam Houston rallied Texans and crushed Mexican

army at Battle of San Jacinto Texan independence but border troubles

Mexican War

Sam Houston – president of Texas; asked U.S. to annex Texas

Congress didn’t want a big new slave state James K. Polk becomes U.S. President (Democrat)

favored annexation, expansion Northerners would accept Texas if they got

something Compromise w/Britain – they got British Columbia,

U.S. got Oregon, Washington, Idaho

Mexican War cont.

Texas annexed but U.S. wants border extended to Rio Grande River

U.S. had many advantages – technology, greater population, industry, better trained military

Some famous names – General Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant, William T. Sherman

U.S. wins every major battle & the war

3. Effects of Expansion & War

Treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo U.S. gains tremendous territory in Southwest Mexican Cession – Manifest Destiny achieved Gadsden Purchase (from Mexico) gives us more

land Wilmot Proviso – ban slavery in all new

territories from Mexico** Divides Congress

Gold Rush

1848 – John Sutter’s mill – gold discovered! Forty-niners flock to California California Gold Rush Tough conditions, competition, dangerous (no rule of

law) California applies for statehood as a free state Tips the balance from 15/15 – shows the effects of

westward expansion on tensions over slavery http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-u

s/videos/gold-rush