Transcript Expanding Westx - River Mill Academy

Why did America move West?
Americans moved to the West in the
1800s because people wanted to get a
fresh start and wanted to be able to buy
their own land, as well as to try new
economic possibilities, such as farming
and gold mining. It all began when
President Thomas Jefferson bought the
Louisiana Purchase in 1803 from the
French government.
• Many Americans in the Jacksonian Era were
curious and eager to be on the move. The
West drew a variety of settlers. Some looked
for wealth and adventure. Others, dreamed of
rich farmland and new beginnings.
• The rush to the West occurred, in part,
because of a hat.
• Fur trade drew Americans to the West
Beaver hunting was popular because of the fur used to
make hats. Beaver fur was water-repellent and warm.
“Mountain men” became a popular name for hunters
who moved West in order to partake in this money
making adventure.
Keeping Everyone Safe
• The United States Army set up forts along
western trails to protect settlers.
• Travelers faced many difficulties such as harsh
weather, hunger, Native Americans, and
difficult routes.
• Recognizing the huge economic value of the
lands, the US made treaties with Spain,
Britain, and Russia claiming this land.
Oregon Trail
• The 2,200-mile east-west trail served as a
critical transportation route for emigrants
traveling from Missouri to Oregon and other
points west during the mid-1800s. Travelers
were inspired by dreams of gold and rich
farmlands, but they were also motivated by
difficult economic times in the east and the
diseases like yellow fever and malaria that
were decimating the Midwest around 1837.
The Oregon Trail
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• DON’T GO TO SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QUESTIONS
• The covered wagons many used to travel were
called _____________ ______________
because they looked like boats going across
the plains.
• Most moved to the West for ________
reasons and a fresh start.
• It took _________ months to complete the
trip.
• __________ or trading was the main way of
exchanging goods.
Santa Fe Trail
• Another important path west.
• Led from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe,
New Mexico and followed an ancient trading
route first used by the Indians.
• Instead of following rivers like Oregon Trail,
settlers traveled across blazing deserts and
rough mountains.
• Military forts built along route to protect
settlers from Native Americans. Indians upset
over the intrusion of their land.
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Activity
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Draw four covered wagons and label:
Reasons Went West
Oregon Trail
Santa Fe Trail
Challenges
• For each list facts then compare with partner
Example of Covered Wagon
Answers
• Reasons for going West: rich resources, land,
climate, economic opportunity
• Oregon Trail: About 2,000 miles long; MO to
Oregon Country or CA; Economic opportunity;
followed rivers
• Santa Fe: Independence, MO to Santa Fe, New
Mexico; used mainly as a trade route; deserts and
rough mountains.
• Challenges: shortage of food, supplies and water,
rough weather, geographic barriers (difficult
terrain).
Texas
• Mexico told Americans that they
could settle in TX if they became
MX citizens, Catholic and
accepted the MX Constitution
which banned slavery
• Stephen Austin led the charge
and they found Austin, TX
• By ’35, 30k Americans were there
known as Anglo-Texans
• 3/2/1836: Texas declared
independence from MX
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• Santa Anna went up to TX to crush the revolt and
in March he attacked a small garrison – The
Alamo – Everyone was killed including Davy
Crockett
• US rallied around “Remember the Alamo”
• Led by Sam Houston, the Texans trapped Santa
Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto and he signed
over TX
Texas, Oh Sweet Texas
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• After the Alamo, another battle occurred which
resulted in Mexico signing a treaty giving Texas
independence. Now, most Texans hoped the US
would annex Texas.
• Texas is now an independent nation, recognized
by many nations. To increase population, Texas
offered land grants.
• “America’s manifest destiny to overspread and
to possess the whole continent which
Providence (God) has given us for the
development of the great experiment of
liberty….”
• Manifest Destiny – A term coined by journalist
John L. O’Sullivan, it meant that God wanted
us to have all of the US and that the Natives
and Mexicans weren’t important enough to
have it
• Expansion would come at the expense of the
Natives and Mexicans
Manifest Destiny and War
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• Do you think the United States “provoked”
war? Why/Why Not
Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American
War was fought between
the United States and
Mexico between 1846
and 1848. The war
started with the U.S.
annexation of Texas and
was the result of
disagreement over
where the MexicanAmerican border should
be. The United States
victory resulted in
adding more that
500,000 square miles of
Mexican territory.
• May 13, 1846
• Congress officially declares
war on Mexico.
• President James Polk
addresses Congress and
says them that Mexico has
invaded U.S. soil and that
blood has been shed.
Congress approves the
declaration of war, but
some Americans are
against it and think that
Polk is simply trying to take
more land for the U.S.
Fighting
• Battles took
place and the
final battle
resulted in US
troops
capturing
Mexico City.
End of the War
• February 2, 1848
• The U.S. and Mexico sign the Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo.
• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ends
the Mexican-American War. The Rio Grande River
is established as the U.S.-Mexican border. Under
the treaty, Mexico recognizes the U.S. annexation
of Texas and agrees to sell California, as well as all
of its territory north of the Rio Grande.
In a
• America’s westward expansion continued
rapidly after the war. There were conflicts
due to blended cultures. Water rights and
the lack of respect for Native American land
and culture raised tensions.
• Next, came the California Gold Rush which
took the light off the problems in the
Southwest.
The Rush to California!!!!
• At the end of the
Mexican- American
War, the US gained
control of present
day state of CA.
American settlement
of CA was slow.
Then, the word
GOLD changed
everything.
• The discovery of gold brought
settlers to California. The first
person on a site was able to
“stake a claim” to the land.
This caused problems and the
lack of a court system resulted
in violence. Further, the
effects on the environment
were astronomical.
• Many settlers quickly learned
the idea of striking it rich was
false. Many lived in poverty
and never saw the $$$$
promised by the “gold rush.”
California Gold Rush
• Did you know that the NFL team the San
Francisco 49ers was named because of the
California Gold Rush?
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• CA wanted to become a
state and they drew up a
constitution.
• They didn’t mention
African Americans b/c
they didn’t want to deal
w/ slavery but they
didn’t want free blacks
competing for gold.
• At the time, there were
15 free and 15 slave
states.
And they shall come………….
• The gold rush has a
lasting impact on
California’s
population and
economy. In 1850, it
became the 31st
state and expansion
began with the idea
of a railroad.
Gold Rush
How was gold first
discovered?
How was a stake
claimed?
What was life like
in camps?
Who came to
California for gold?