Westward Expansion CHAPTERS 16 & 17 From Sea to Shining Sea
The Explorers (16.2) Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804 – 1806) Ordered by President Jefferson after the purchase of LA Reasons: Build trade relationships with Natives Find the NW Passage Exploring LA Purchase to see what opportunities were out there The Expedition: 45 member crew Tough terrain Followed the MO River (started in St. Louis, MO) Friendly relations with Natives Sacagawea from the Shoshone: served as guide, translator, public relations with Natives Nez Perce: fed the crew and saved them from death Reached the Pacific Ocean on 12.3.1805 The Explorers Legacy Returned to St. Louis Sept 1806 (2 years and 4 months after they began) Take-Aways from the Expedition: Did not find the NW Passage (duh, it didn’t exist) Successfully mapped a route to the Pacific Ocean Built positive relations with some Native tribes Gained knowledge of the country west of the MS river
The Californios (16.3) California Missions The Legacy Spanish missionaries travelled from Mexico to present day CA to convert Natives to Christianity Set up missions along the way from present day San Diego to San Francisco Settlers soon came Californios = Spanish speaking Californian (Mexican decent) 1821 = CA is under MX rule 1833 = MX govt. shuts down missions Half the land supposed to go to Natives Instead, MX: Gave most of the mission land to settlers and soldiers Rancho = land grant by MX govt, used for raising cattle and crops Produced many of their own supplies Cattle ranching became an in-demand trade Impact on Natives was harsh Some treated poorly Many died from disease brought by missionaries The Legacy CA is captured by US in 1846 (during war with Mexico) Present day CA is full of Mexican traditions, names, food, people, influence of the time
The Mountain Men (16.4) The Trapper’s Life The Legacy Encouraged by Lewis & Clark’s expedition, Mt. Men began travelling the MO river to dominate the resurrected fur trapping business Spring & Fall = Set traps Summer = Sold furs at trading posts Dangerous profession but worth the pain Thieves, Native attacks, bears, accidents Trappers preferred this way to life as it allowed freedom and adventure The Legacy Created new routes west through the OR and CA trails
The Missionaries (16.5) Missions travelled from St. Louis to OR Country to teach Christianity Spalding’s worked with Nez Perce Somewhat positive experience/relationships Whitman’s worked with Cayuse Bad experience/relationships White disease spreads to tribe In anger, Cayuse attack, killing the Whitman’s Travelled along the Oregon Trail Whitman’s also encouraged American’s to move west and settle The Legacy Few if any Natives converted Missionaries are known for opening the west to settlement
The Pioneer Women (16.6)
The Mormons (16.7)
The Forty-Niners (16.8)
The Chinese (16.9)
The Mexicano’s (17.1 – 17.3)