Manifest Destiny 8 th Grade American History

Martin Van Buren- Democratic president elected in 1836 (served as VP under Jackson); Although there was an economic depression, he did little to interfere with the nation’s economy (laissez-faire). Panic of An event that began a depression; land values dropped, investments declined, and banks failed. Many farmers went into debt and people in the cites could not afford food or rent.

Tippecanoe and Tyler too! William Henry Harrison- Whig presidential candidate in 1840 and hero of the War of To gain common supporters, he was portrayed as a “man of the people” and his “log cabin campaign” won the election! John Tyler- The first Vice President to become President after serving for a few months. He was not considered loyal to the Whigs because he supported “Democratic” ideals like states’ rights. The Whig Party only lasted from They supported the power of Congress over the Executive Branch. Essentially, it was formed to oppose Jacksonian Democrats.

In the early 1800s, four nations claimed the Oregon country–these nations were the United States, Britain, Spain, and Russia American settlers began traveling to the Oregon country in the 1830s, lured by reports of abundant, fertile land. The first large-scale trip west took place in 1843 when more than 1,000 pioneers left Independence, Missouri, for Oregon. In the years that followed, tens of thousands of Americans made the trip

Oregon Country- Area between Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountain (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and British Columbia). First, fur trappers went to the area to trap beavers, but soon other adventurous “Mountain Men” joined. This land had been previously controlled by Spain, Russia, and Britain Oregon Trail- The most practical route to the western U.S. The trip lasted five or six months and the pioneers had to fight difficult terrain, disease, and hunger. Most traveled along in prairie schooners (covered wagons).

Oregon became an issue in the presidential election of James K. Polk, the Democratic candidate, ran using the slogan “Fifty-four Forty or Fight.” The slogan referred to the line of latitude at 54°40’N, which Democrats thought should be the nation’s northern border in Oregon. Polk’s opponent, Henry Clay (a Whig), did not take as strong a stand as Polk on annexing Oregon, and lost the election, despite Polk’s nickname as a “Dark Horse” The Division of Oregon

Determined to make Oregon part of the United States, but unable to get Britain to agree to a boundary at 54°40” N–which would have turned over almost the whole territory to the United States–Polk decided to compromise. Polk concluded an agreement with Britain in June 1846 that split Oregon at 49°N, with the area south of that line becoming a territory of the United States. Although Polk only served one term, he is known as the President who oversaw the greatest expansion of America and was the last “strong” President before the Civil War

Steven Austin- “Father of Texas.” After organizing land grants for colonies in Texas, he served as a spokesman with Mexico but was later put in prison for promoting Texan independence. Sam Houston- Fought for Texan Independence from Mexico; later became governor of the Republic and later a senator for the state of TX Santa Anna- Mexican leader and general who fought Texans; was once captured at the Battle of San Jacinto and signed the treaty which declared TX independent

The Alamo- A barricaded mission held by Texans for 12 days against Santa Anna’s men until the Mexicans launched an all out attack. This prompted the cry “Remember the Alamo!” The defenders at the Alamo, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held off with rifle fire the larger and better- armed Mexican forces surrendered on March 6, This was after Mexican cannon fire smashed the Alamo’s walls and then they attacked, killing almost everyone inside.

At the Battle of San Jacinto, the forces of Houston and Santa Anna clashed. The battle started on April 21, 1836, when the Texans launched a surprise attack on the Mexican camp. They killed about 600 of the 1300-man force, and captured 700 other soldiers, including Santa Anna. After less than one year of fighting, the war was over. Texas officially became known as the Lone Star Republic. In September 1836, Texans elected Sam Houston as the first president of their new republic.

To boost its economy, Mexico welcomed American traders. William Becknell was the first trader to reach Santa Fe, the main settlement in the New Mexico region. He discovered that he could sell his merchandise in New Mexico for more than what he would have received for it back in St. Louis. When word spread, other traders followed. This trail later became known as the Santa Fe Trail and was used until the arrival of the Railroad in 1880 The New Mexico Territory

By the early 1800s, Americans had been arriving in California for many years on trading or whaling ships that stopped along the coast, or as travelers (such as mountain men) who had come overland from the East. In the 1840s American families began to settle in California. But by 1845 the number of Americans in California was still only about 700. President Polk twice offered to buy California and New Mexico from Mexico during the mid- 1840s, but was turned down. California

Mexican War War between America and Mexico over NM and California AND because America annexed Texas; In addition, there were boundary disputes over the Rio Grande River/Nueces River. President Polk had hoped for war and tried to drive forces out of the border, seize New Mexico and California, and to take the capital of Mexico, Mexico City.

Bear Flag Republic- Name for California, beginning on June 14, 1846, because of its newly formed independent republic. CA led several rebellions against Mexican rule even before Americans started the Mexican War. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo- Mexican-American peace treaty signed in 1848 after American troops stormed Mexico City. Mexico was forced to give up CA and New Mexico to the US; the U.S. paid Mexico $15 million Gadsden Purchase America fulfills its “destiny” by purchasing a strip of land in Arizona and NM for $10 million. They bought it from Mexico. California Gold Rush- A wave of 49ers who came from America, Europe, Australia, and China in hopes of striking it rich in GOLD.