Chapter 11,Chapter 11,Lesson 4Lesson 4

ACOS #10: Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States.

Key Vocabulary WordsKey Vocabulary Words Wagon train Wagon train – a line of covered wagons that moved – a line of covered wagons that moved

together across the country.together across the country. Forty-niner Forty-niner – a person who went to look for gold in – a person who went to look for gold in

California around 1849.California around 1849. Gold rush Gold rush – the quick movement of people to – the quick movement of people to

California and other places following the discovery of California and other places following the discovery of gold.gold.

Boomtown Boomtown – a town offering many chances to make – a town offering many chances to make money and filled with people just arriving. A town that money and filled with people just arriving. A town that grows, or booms, very quickly.grows, or booms, very quickly.

Trails WestTrails West In 1824, Crow Indians showed a trapper a way In 1824, Crow Indians showed a trapper a way

through the Rocky Mountains that was wide enough through the Rocky Mountains that was wide enough for wagons.for wagons.

The route was called the “South Pass.”The route was called the “South Pass.” By the end of the 1850’s, thousands of people had By the end of the 1850’s, thousands of people had

traveled through the South Pass on a route know as traveled through the South Pass on a route know as the Oregon Trail.the Oregon Trail.

The Oregon Trail was about 2,000 miles long.The Oregon Trail was about 2,000 miles long. It started in Missouri and stretched west across the It started in Missouri and stretched west across the

Rocky Mountains to present day Oregon.Rocky Mountains to present day Oregon.

Oregon TrailOregon Trail

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were two of the first Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were two of the first pioneers to travel to Oregon.pioneers to travel to Oregon.

They were missionaries who wanted to teach They were missionaries who wanted to teach American Indians about Christianity.American Indians about Christianity.

The Whitman mission became a place where The Whitman mission became a place where travelers could rest.travelers could rest.

John Frémont explored parts of the west and helped John Frémont explored parts of the west and helped make maps of the Oregon Trail.make maps of the Oregon Trail.

He wrote reports describing the beautiful land.He wrote reports describing the beautiful land. People on the Oregon Trail used Frémont’s maps People on the Oregon Trail used Frémont’s maps

and reports as guides.and reports as guides.

Wagon TrainsWagon Trains The first large group of about The first large group of about

1,000 people set out on the 1,000 people set out on the Oregon Trail in 1873.Oregon Trail in 1873.

They came from Ohio, Indiana, They came from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

They were looking for good, They were looking for good, inexpensive land.inexpensive land.

Pioneers traveled by wagon train.Pioneers traveled by wagon train. A A wagon trainwagon train was a line of covered wagons that was a line of covered wagons that

moved together.moved together. Oxen, mules, or horses pulled the wagons.Oxen, mules, or horses pulled the wagons.

Travelers on the Oregon Trail faced injuries, diseases, bad Travelers on the Oregon Trail faced injuries, diseases, bad weather, lack of food, and water.weather, lack of food, and water.

One woman described the trail in her journal:One woman described the trail in her journal:““Not a drop of water, nor a spear of grass to be seen, nothing but Not a drop of water, nor a spear of grass to be seen, nothing but

barren hills, bare and broken rock, sand and dust.barren hills, bare and broken rock, sand and dust. Despite the hardships, many people settled in Oregon.Despite the hardships, many people settled in Oregon. President Polk wanted Oregon to belong to the United President Polk wanted Oregon to belong to the United

States.States. At the time, Oregon was claimed by both the United States At the time, Oregon was claimed by both the United States

and Britain.and Britain. In 1846, President Polk signed a treaty with Britain to set In 1846, President Polk signed a treaty with Britain to set

the border between the United States and Canada.the border between the United States and Canada. In 1848, this land became the Oregon Territory.In 1848, this land became the Oregon Territory.

Pioneers took other trails to the west.Pioneers took other trails to the west. Some people traveled on the Mormon Trail were Some people traveled on the Mormon Trail were

members of the Latter-Day Saints Church, members of the Latter-Day Saints Church, founded in New York in 1830. These people were founded in New York in 1830. These people were called Mormons.called Mormons.

Some people did not like the Mormon’s beliefs Some people did not like the Mormon’s beliefs and would not let them practice their religion.and would not let them practice their religion.

In 1847, Brigham Young, a Mormon leader, took In 1847, Brigham Young, a Mormon leader, took his people west to present-day Utah.his people west to present-day Utah.

The Oregon TrailThe Oregon Trail The Oregon Trail Video

The California Gold RushThe California Gold Rush Before the 1700’s, California Indians lived in villages where Before the 1700’s, California Indians lived in villages where

they hunted, gathered plants, and fished.they hunted, gathered plants, and fished. When California became part of New Spain, many Indians When California became part of New Spain, many Indians

were forced to live on missions.were forced to live on missions. When Mexico gained independence, California became part When Mexico gained independence, California became part

of it.of it. The Mexican citizens built large ranches and forced The Mexican citizens built large ranches and forced

American Indians to work on these ranches.American Indians to work on these ranches. In 1848 when California joined the United States, the people In 1848 when California joined the United States, the people

became U. S. citizens.became U. S. citizens. Very little changed for American Indians.Very little changed for American Indians.

The California Gold RushThe California Gold Rush Gold was discovered in California that same year.Gold was discovered in California that same year. Thousands of people from the United States, Mexico, China, Thousands of people from the United States, Mexico, China,

Europe, and South America rushed to California to dig for Europe, and South America rushed to California to dig for gold.gold.

These people became know as the These people became know as the forty-niners.forty-niners. A A forty-ninerforty-niner was a miner who went to California around was a miner who went to California around

1849.1849. More than 250,000 people went to California to look for gold.More than 250,000 people went to California to look for gold. A A gold rushgold rush takes place when many people hurry to the same takes place when many people hurry to the same

area to look for gold.area to look for gold. BoomtownsBoomtowns sprang up near the gold mines. sprang up near the gold mines. A A boomtown boomtown is a town whose population booms, or grows is a town whose population booms, or grows

very quickly.very quickly.

After the Gold RushAfter the Gold Rush The California Gold Rush lasted about 5 years.The California Gold Rush lasted about 5 years. Only a few people actually found gold.Only a few people actually found gold. Some forty-niners went back home, but thousands Some forty-niners went back home, but thousands

stayed and settled in California.stayed and settled in California. The Gold Rush changed California.The Gold Rush changed California. Miners and farmers killed California Indians and took Miners and farmers killed California Indians and took

their land.their land. Newcomers forced many property owners off their land.Newcomers forced many property owners off their land. Cities grew.Cities grew. California became a state.California became a state. Can watch ‘Gold Rush’ video 25:12 minutesCan watch ‘Gold Rush’ video 25:12 minutes

Test Question:Test Question: How did the How did the

California Gold Rush California Gold Rush change the lives of change the lives of many Californios?many Californios?

Californio property Californio property owners were forced owners were forced off their land.off their land.