1. Westward Expansion

2. What is Manifest Destiny?
Americans felt it was their duty to expand to the Pacific Ocean
Disregard for anyone in their way

3. What were the causes for Westward Expansion?
The California Gold Rush
Began in 1848 with the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill on the California River
Fertile land for farming
Grazing land for ranching
Religious persecution
New start on life
Escape from the law

4. Gold Rush

5. Farming

6. Ranching

7. Trails West

8. How does this painting explain the attitude of Americans in the mid 1800’s?
Spirit of the Frontier/American Progress 1872 by John Gast (a.k.a. Westward Angel)

9. How did they travel west?

10. Conestoga Wagon
They got their name from the Pennsylvania town in which many were produced.
Usually pulled by oxen or mules in traveling

11. The Stagecoach
Passenger coaches were a popular form of public transportation in the early 1800’s
The person who rode next to the driver usually carried shotgun to guard against hostile Native Americans or bandits, thus the phrase “riding shotgun”.
They got their name because the coach driver changed horses every fifteen miles, or stage.
Cicero © 2008

12. Steam Locomotive “Iron Horse”
The first locomotive built in the U.S. in 1830.
On July 1, 1862, President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railroad Act, which called for the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Completed -May 10, 1869
Cicero © 2008

13. Cicero © 2008

14. Steamboat
The first successful steamboat, named Clermont, was created by Robert Fulton in 1807.
Settlers who chose to travel west by boat faced an arduous journey of 18,000 miles around South America or sail to the isthmus of Panama, cross overland, and sail to California.
Cicero © 2008

15. What were the Hardships and Challenges?
Diseases: Cholera, Lice, Malaria, Scurvy
Length of trail
Inexperience in navigation
Weather
Raiders
Natives

16. Other Fun Facts Bible was the main reading material
Used tar to waterproof their wagons
Bible was the textbook for school for education
People often used buffalo dung for fuel