1. SWBAT: Explain how the United States added vast territory in the West

2.  Complete “Wrap Up” questions from day prior’s notes

3.  After the U.S. Navy published a report about the excellent harbors of the Puget Sound, interest in Oregon greatly increased in 1843 More than 5,000 settlers would set out over the next two years By 1860, 250,000 Americans braved the Oregon Trail 65,000 headed to Oregon 185,000 head to California

4.  Caravans consisted of 10-20 covered wagons travelling up to 6 months  Many women did not take the journey, but those who did: Traditional roles transformed Women took care of children, cooked meals, cared for clothing  repaired wagon wheels, tended to animals Maintained life “back home” by holding prayer meetings and teaching “school”

5.  Texas- a northern region of the newly independent Mexico  American farmers entered the region for cheap land and little government intrusion  1830s- Whites & slaves outnumbered Mexicans  Mexico banned slavery & required residents to become Catholic

6.  Battle at the Alamo  American settlers refused to abide by laws Led by, Sam Houston, staged a revolt in 1836 Declared Texas a republic independent of Mexico Houston chosen to lead the new country & applied for statehood

7.  Presidents Jackson and Van Buren both faced Northern political opposition for the annexation request  put off the request  What were northerners afraid of?  1844: Outgoing President, John Tyler persuaded Congress to pass annexation of Texas  President James K. Polk would have to deal with Mexico’s reaction to annexation Protegé of Jackson, committed to expansion and Manifest Destiny “Fifty-four Forty or Fight!”

8.  Polk’s Diplomatic Goals for Mexico: Persuade Mexico to sell California and New Mexico territories to the U.S. Settle disputed Mexico-Texas border Both FAILED!  Polk sent Gen. Zachary Taylor & military forces to disputed land near the Rio Grande  Polk ordered Navy to seize San Francisco Bay & encouraged Californians to seek independence

9.  War breaks out: First American conflict fought primarily on foreign soil First conflict in which Americans occupied a foreign capital Most Americans supported the war  Significant opposition from Northern Whigs (Abraham Lincoln)

10.  Transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau, was against the Mexican War and other U.S. government policies Abolitionist Refused to pay taxes Wrote “Civil Disobedience”  Influenced Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr. “Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority? Why does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them?”

11.  Before the war ended, an anti- slavery Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania proposed the Wilmot Proviso Proposed banning slavery in any territories gained from the Mexican War  Whigs & anti-slavery Democrats passed the bill in the House, but failed in the Senate  The bill caused expansionists to become even more aggressive Rep. David Wilmot (D-PA) “[T]he Wilmot Proviso as if by magic, brought to a head the great question that is about to divide the American people”

12.  After decisive victories, Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Confirmed the annexation of Texas Ceded California & New Mexico for $15 million

13.  1853: President Pierce purchased a strip of land from Mexico for $10 million for a railroad

14.  Explain a long-term and short-term cause of the Mexican-American War.  Explain a long-term effect of this war.  Was all of the land gained during westward expansion worth it?