1. 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.

2. 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.

4. 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

5. California Trail West
The California Trail: , 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Battle of the Alamo, Mexicans and Texans fight to the Death

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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%

17. 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