Unit 9 The U.S. government and its citizens believed that the nation’s “destiny” or fate was to expand westward from sea to sea.

The Treaty of Paris had given the United States lands west to the Mississippi and north to Canada.

* Orderly procedure for establishing territories and applying for statehood. * As a territory grew in population it gained rights to self-government * At least 5,000 men who owned at least 50 acres * 60,000 people must live there to apply for statehood.

* The Louisiana Purchase spurred the desire to move west across the country.

* Economic – * New land for farmers * New trade routes and markets (Santa Fe Trail) * New opportunities to start a business * Political – * Expansion of our nation’s borders/territory * Expansion of slavery * Social – * Remove Native Americans * Refuge for persecuted groups (Mormons)

“American Progress” by John Gast 1872

Westward the Course of Empire Takes its Way – by Emanueal Leutze 1861

* The new Mexican republic (free from Spain) wanted to draw more people to Texas * Settlers were promised land * These settlers outnumbered Tejanos and often ignored Mexican laws (slavery had been outlawed by Spain in 1652) * Texas revolution began in 1835 * Texas won its independence, but independence was not recognized by Mexico * In 1837 Texas asked the U.S. to annex it – Jackson and Van Buren worried because it supported slavery * New land became a worry to several presidents * John Tyler supported annexation, but did not win re- election

* Rumors of rich farmland, forests, rivers full of fish and a good climate drew many settlers to the West. * It was a long hard journey by wagon train, but many Americans journeyed west.

* The discovery of gold in California sparked a massive immigration to that area

* The rush of settlers pushed many American Indians off their lands * The population of California quickly rises to the amount required for statehood * California’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean led to an increase of Asian immigrants as well Native Americans attacked mining outposts and towns San Francisco 1850

* Settlers had many reasons for heading west. * Some moved for a better way of life – more land – freedom from cities * Some moved due to religious persecution (Joseph Smith - Mormons moved to Utah) * Due to the Second Great Awakening – many missionaries moved west to try to convert Native Americans to Christianity

* In the early 1800s Oregon was occupied by American Indians * Great Britain, Russia, Spain and the U.S. all had claims in this land * 1819 – Adams-Onis Treaty – Spain gave up lands beyond the northern border of what is now California * 1824 – Russia signed a treaty with the U.S. * Many Americans had moved to this land and desired statehood * 1846 – U.S. and Great Britain signed the Oregon Treaty – this set the boundary between the U.S. and Canada

* President Polk quickly set out to acquire new lands. He had a great desire to expand the U.S. * Texas Congress approved the annexation of Texas in 1845 and it became the 28 th state. * This angered the Mexican government * They considered Texas a “stolen province”

* The border of Texas was heavily disputed between Mexico and the U.S. * President Polk sent out General Zachary Taylor with troops to the border to protect from a possible attack * Polk sent diplomats to Mexico City, to see about the border and offer to pay for California, but they refused to meet with them. * A Mexican commander insisted General Taylor remove his troops – Taylor refused * Mexican soldiers attacked, killed 11 Americans, wounded 5, captured the rest * Two days later, Congress declared war * This was considered a “War of Aggression” by many Americans

* U.S. asked for volunteers to fight – got more than needed * First war fought on foreign soil * Americans fought several battles and won the majority * U.S. finally captured the Mexican capital

* This ended the war * The treaty called for the United States to pay $15 million to Mexico and pay off the claims of American citizens against Mexico * Grants the U.S. the Mexican territory of New Mexico, Arizona and California

* The boom of California and the economy of the East required transportation to and from. * The Rocky Mountains were a barrier to travel * This building of railroads made travel and trade easier from East to West * In order to avoid mountains, the government was considering swinging a railroad down into Mexican territory.

* Territory for a railroad was purchased for $10 million * This fixed the southern border of the U.S. * This also opened up a warmer, southern route to the west.

* Westward expansion of the U.S. made many new cities and expanded old cities * Many immigrants from East to West and even other countries contributed to the customs of our country