Manifest Destiny Definition: “Fate coming into reality” American 1800s belief that… –the US was destined to span from the Atlantic to Pacific –we had a duty to spread our government (democracy) & culture

Manifest Destiny Political motivations: wanted to reduce the power of Britain, France, & Spain who still owned land in the West Economic motivations: US economy was growing; wanted more farms, ranches, minerals, fur, cotton, gold Social motivations: wanted to spread democracy, freedom, religion, & culture

Mountain Men Connected to fur trade – merchants traveled through West on the way to Asia True mountain men actually settled in Oregon Hiked the forests; lived off land; befriended Natives; led settlers West

“Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland Gap, ” by George Caleb Bingham

Missionaries First white settlers to permanently settle in Oregon Country Spread Christianity to Natives Established school & clinics

“Across the Continent, Westward the Course of Empire takes its way, 1868” by Fanny Palmer

Pioneer Families Sought farming opportunities or new life in general First settled in Oregon, then NM Territory, TX, CA

Mormons Members of church founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith Left east coast due to persecution Traveled throughout Mexican Cession Eventually settled in Utah (Salt Lake City) under leadership of Brigham Young

49ers Gold discovered in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill, CA “Gold Fever” caused CA to become very dangerous CA had very diverse population –Native Americans: driven away –Chinese: immigrated for gold but were driven away or used as RR laborers –Free blacks (CA became a free state) –South Americans –Mexicans: driven away or used in gold mines

Mexican War Causes Texas Revolution –Texans disagreed with Mexican laws that jeopardized their lifestyle –Texans revolted against Mexican dictator Santa Anna –Santa Anna granted independence to Texas –Texas became a nation (Republic of Texas) Texas Annexation –Texas became a US state in 1845 to solve its debt & safety problems –Not all Americans supported this Border Disputes –Mexico claimed Nueces River & US claimed Rio Grande as the Texas border Manifest Destiny –?

Mexican War Results Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo –Ended Mexican-American War in 1848 –Mexico acknowledged Texas as part of US Mexican Cession –Mexico ceded CA & NM territories to the US –US paid Mexico $15 million Gadsden Purchase –US bought more land from Mexico in 1853 –Completed southern boundary of US Mexican-American Culture –Americans had to learn & adjust to Mexican culture –Original settlers often treated poorly