Ch 11 Goin’ West! Was it America’s “Manifest Destiny”? Manifest Destiny, Oregon Country, American Claims, Treaties, California (Gold Rush and statehood), Mexican and Texan Wars.

Manifest Destiny The belief that the United States, having the best government and culture in the world, had the right and duty to control all lands from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It was also partly based on the idea that American culture was superior to Indian and Mexican culture, which meant some Americans believed they had the right to these lands. John Q. Adams said that expansion to the Pacific was inevitable.

Oregon Trail West The Oregon Trail: The most practical route to the Pacific, covering over 2,000 miles, from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City. Pioneers walked with their Conestoga wagons across plains, deserts, and mountains for over six months in search for farmlands or gold. Oregon Country: Britain, the U.S., Russia, and Spain claimed it

California Trail West The California Trail: 1841-1869, Followed the Oregon and Mormon Trails west, across the Sierra Nevada Mountains by routes used by fur traders into the gold fields and cities of California

California’s Gold Rush The Migration: Though most forty-niners were American, others came from Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and China (the first large group of Asian immigrants to the U.S.) Boomtowns: cities looking for gold grow over night. Statehood: The Compromise of 1850, to balance power between free and slave states, California is admitted as a free state, and slavery was permitted in new lands in the south. Also, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed.

California’s Gold Rush, the Impact Rapid growth of cities leads to statehood in 1850 World’s gold supply more than doubles Though most forty-niners did not find gold, most turned to farming. Agriculture, shipping, to meet the needs of the people Most Californios, Hispanic Californians, lost their lands after the Land Law of 1851, unable to provide official documents proving ownership transcontinental railroad was created native populations decimated

Stephen Austin, an agent, settles in Texas with 300 families in 1822 Settlers Given Land in exchange for becoming Mexican Citizens & Catholic. By 1835 – 28,000 U.S. immigrants in Texas Settlers not following laws (Slavery) Mexican govt. bans immigration Mexican Government turns down Austin’s petition for Texas to gain statehood. Stephen Austin

Texas Independence Texans declare independence on March 2, 1836 Republic of Texas Sam Houston named head of the Texas Army Stephen Austin went to the U.S. to seek money and troops.

Major Battles: The Alamo Texan force of fewer than 100, led by Colonel Jim Travis, Davy Crocket and Jim Bowie occupied the Alamo mission near San Antonio. From February 23 to March 6, 1836, Texans held out against the huge Mexican army. All defenders killed in Mexican attack on March 6.

Battle of the Alamo, Mexicans and Texans fight to the Death http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/alamo/alamo.jpg

Major Battles: San Jacinto Santa Anna chased Texan Army under Sam Houston Texans took a stand at San Jacinto River Houston’s forces attacked on April 21, 1836 and destroyed Mexican Army. Santa Anna was captured at Battle of San Jacinto and promised independence.

Republic of Texas Problems: Mexico refuses to accept the treaty Santa Anna Signed & Texas was nearly bankrupt Most Texans hope the U.S. will annex, or take control of, Texas and make it a state President Jackson recognized Texas as an independent nation. Jackson didn’t want to admit Texas and upset the balance between free & slave states. Republic of Texas Currency

The Mexican-American War Begins April 25, 1846 Mexican and American forces clashed in disputed territory Texas boundary dispute due to the annexation of Texas by the US in 1845 11 American soldiers killed U.S. declared war two days later American armies moved into California, New Mexico, and Texas to defend territories California and New Mexico surrendered

Battles Winfield Scott led navy to Vera Cruz and captured it on March 27 with 10,000 troops Mexican army made a last stand at Chapultepec Castle, Sept. 13, 1847 Los Niño's Heroes Mexico surrendered February 2, 1848

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Officially ended the Mexican-American War in 1848 Mexican Cession included present-day California, Nevada, and Utah, & parts of Arizona, New Mexico, & Wyoming Mexico was paid $15 Million Another $3 million in debt was forgiven Increased Size of the U.S. by almost 25%

Settlement Mexicans in the cession areas were promised “protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty and property, and secured in the free exercise of their religion.” Americans began to flood into the Southwest Mexicans were promised equal rights in the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, In reality, discrimination forced many Mexicans out of the territory They faced High Taxes & Racism