Transcript c10 - LarsonAmericanHistory

Expansion and Conflict
The Lure of the West
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Manifest Destiny – a belief that “even God wanted America to stretch coast
to coast.”
There were potentially more markets for goods
There was definitely more land for cotton production
• The Texas Revolution
Texas would win it’s independence from Mexico in 1836.
This was a “powder keg” in regards to relations with Mexico and the U.S.
Texas was an attractive piece of the Manifest Destiny puzzle. Discussion of
annexation quickly ensued.
Mexico politely informed the U.S. that annexation of Texas would be an act
of war against the Mexican Republic.
James K. Polk won the Election of 1844 —his platform called for
annexation of Texas and acquiring more land in the west.
With his election, tensions between the U.S. and Mexico grew rapidly.
As President, Polk sent representatives to Mexico City to discuss the
boarder between the U.S. and Mexico as well as buy New Mexico and
California.
Hostilities would eventually break out, leading to war.
The Spanish
decide to
settle
California
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Mexico takes
possession of
California
The Mexican American War
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Outcomes:
1. The United States acquired the northern half of Mexico. This area later
became the U.S. states of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and
Utah
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2. President Santa Anna lost power in Mexico following the war
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3. U.S. General Zachary "Old Rough and Ready" Taylor used his fame as a
war hero to win the Presidency in 1848. A true irony is that President Polk, a
Democrat, pushed for the war that led to Taylor, a Whig, winning the White
House.
4. Relations between the United States and Mexico remained tense for
many decades to come, with several military encounters along the border.
5. For the United States, this war provided a training-ground for the men
who would lead the Northern and Southern armies in the upcoming
American Civil War.
6. Admission of California into the U.S. – Bear Flag Revolt
7. Gadsden Purchase – The U.S. eventually purchased additional land
from Mexico – Arizona and new Mexico
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In the space provided below, please list support and
opposition to Manifest Destiny
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Supporters
Opponents
IN the space provided below, please identify the causes
and effects of the Texas Revolution
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Causes
Effects
Mining towns after 1848
Use the Graphic organizer below to give examples of people who moved to
the Far West, what their goals were, and how well they achieved their
goals.
People
Mountain
Men
Missionaries
Mormons
Goals
Results
The Promise of Trade
Motivations
Mountain Men and
Western Settlements
Effects
Rendezvous System
The California Gold Rush
• Initially discovered at John Sutter’s Mill in Sacramento in early
1848.
• As this news leaked merchants used this as a ploy to draw people to
California.
• A variety of methods were used to get there
• $300-$400 a day was not uncommon, in 1849 over $10 million in
gold was mined
• Those that found nothing far outnumbered those that struck it rich
• Panning was the most common method.
• Coyoteing – digging a 20’40’ shaft and tunneling in all directions
would become the most profitable.
• Mining communities would pop up all over the west.
• The real money was made in selling goods to those that were
looking for gold.
• By 1851 industrial mining became the norm and the “Riches” quickly
disappeared.
• This was, however, the emergence of the “Wild West.”