Expansion West As country expands, economy spreads in to new markets Capitalism becomes entrenched – citizens in control of wealth acquired New technologies help – telegraph (communication), steamboat (upstream), railroad (all year round), steel plow (John Deere)
Expansion West HOW MUCH of North America should the U.S. inhabit? All of it! Why? Manifest Destiny! United States destiny was to expand to the Pacific Ocean; provided by God and thus obvious that we should “civilize” For a while, relations between U.S. settlers and Native Americans was good – trade and protection (kind of like the Pilgrims!) Treaty of Fort Laramie – gave Native Americans land, U.S. promises to not disturb….government does not keep it’s promises…
Expansion West Oregon Trail How did the U.S. settlers get to west? Santa Fe Trail – Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico Oregon Trail – Missouri to Portland, Oregon Oregon Trail
Expansion west Southwest Expansion U.S. settlers begin to expand in to American Southwest Mexican government encourages farmers to settle in Mexican territory of Texas – a buffer between Native Americans and Mexico Offer land grants - Stephen F. Austin Issues arise between white settlers and Mexicans – language and slavery Santa Anna – Mexican president who DID NOT give Texas self rule – Texans rebel!
Expansion west Texans overtake small fort called the Alamo, Mexicans regroup and crush the Texans at the Alamo Battle of San Jacinto – Texans win their independence (Remember the ALAMO!”), establish the Republic of Texas in 1836 U.S. annexes Texas to United States in 1845; Mexico is FURIOUS!
EXPANSION WEST Mexican-American War Expansion – not only Texas, but California and New Mexico added as well South – support war; North – oppose war Invasion of Mexico lasts only one year – GREAT leadership on American side… Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo- America gains California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, parts of Colorado and Wyoming Opens up large chunk of land in American West for settlement…
EXPANSION WEST