1. The West

2. Early developments Louisiana Purchase (1803) Two Questions:
Why did Americans move West?
What enabled Americans to expand?

3. Why did Americans move West?
Manifest Destiny?

4. Manifest Destiny?
The 19th century American belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. (Often with God as the motivator).

5. Manifest Destiny?
The 19th century American belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. (Often with God as the motivator).

6. First Migration
Mountain men s
Most in 1830s/40s

7. Large Migration White farmers The Oregon trail 1840s
Early settler Rev. Jason Lee
slaves

8. Moving West: What enabled the move West?
US acquisition of territory
Infrastructure developments:
Transportation
Railroads
Canals
Towns established in the West

9. US Land Acquisition Problems: How to get land?
Texas/Mexico(1840s)
Issues with land after acquiring it?
Statehood, territories, disputed lands
Missouri Compromise (1820)
Compromise of 1850
Indians?
How to interact/deal with them (throughout 1800s)

10. Remember the Alamo!
1820s Mexico invites white Americans to settle Texas
Must speak Spanish
Must become Catholic

11. Remember the Alamo!
1820s Mexico invites white Americans to settle Texas
Must speak Spanish
Must become Catholic
Texas desires independence
1835
fights

12. Mexican War Texas won freedom from Mexico in 1835
Wanted to enter Union (US declined)

13. Mexican War Texas won freedom from Mexico in 1835 James K Polk (1845)
Wanted to enter Union (US declined)
James K Polk (1845)
Wanted US to expand
Accepted Texas as State
(In the works under Tyler)
Mexico broke off diplomatic relations

14. Mexican War cont Polk order Gen Z Taylor to Rio Grande
Mexico said border was 150 miles north of Rio Grande/US said on Rio Grande
Polk order Gen Z Taylor to Rio Grande
Mexicans attacked, killing 11 American Soldiers.
Polk declared war.

15. Invaded Mexico, surrounded capital, demanded Mexico cessation of 1848

16. Mexican territory… Gold discovered in California a few years later….
California enters Union in 1850.

17. Question: Why did Americans move West?
Manifest Destiny?
Or something else?