1. WESTWARD EXPANSION
Chapter 13.1 & 13.2
The West

2. What was “the West”?
Early Americans answer: “the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

3. What was “the West” By the 1820’s most of that area had been settled.
Settlers wanted to push to the western frontier.
Frontier- land that forms the farthest extent of the nation.

4. The Great Plains
Area between the Mississippi River and the Rocky mountains.
Unattractive to settlement

5. The Northwest Modern day areas of Oregon and Washington
Settlers were attracted to its fertile land.
U.S., Great Britain, Russia, and Spain all claimed this area.

6. The Southwest Mexico gains independence in 1821.
This eventually will create land conflicts with the ever expanding U.S.

8. Manifest Destiny
The belief that the US was destined to extend from Atlantic to Pacific Ocean.
“ The American claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and self government entrusted to us.”
-John L. O’Sullivan

9. Trails to the West The first American frontiersmen were traders.
They were looking for new markets to sell their goods

10. Santa Fe Trail
Trade route that stretched from Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

11. Oregon Fur Trade Fur traders made a fortune in the Oregon Territory.
“The annual quantity of these furs could not be exactly ascertained, but Mr. Smith was informed indirectly that they amounted to about thirty thousand beaver skins, besides otter skins and small furs. The beaver skins alone, at the New York prices, would be worth above two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. “

12. Mountain Men Fur trappers of the Northwest
Led isolated lives in the wilderness.
Men like Jedediah Smith become well known for their unbelievable toughness.

13. “Oregon Fever”
Settlers sought after the free and fertile land of the Oregon Territory.

14. Oregon Trail
Most settlers traveled the 2,000 mile long trail to get from Missouri to Portland, Oregon.

15. Oregon Trail The long trip was extremely hazardous
Travelers experienced disease, accidents, lack of water and harsh weather.
Despite all the hardships over 50,000 people reach Oregon between 1840 and 1860.