Manifest DestinyChapter 7 Section 1,2,3

Great Plains

2 reasons for moving west-1. “Safety Valve” of Discontent (ease city overpopulation)

◦ Religious Freedom (Mormons—Utah)◦ Opportunity: cheap or free ownership of land

2. *Manifest Destiny – belief that God had given the continent to Americans & wanted them to settle westward to the ocean (Louis O’Sullivan)

Squatters – people who settled on government-owned land without buying it.

Preemption Act of 1830 – US government allowed pioneers to buy up to 160 acres of land directly from the government at $1.25/acre

Homestead Act of 1862 – law encouraging settlers to move west. Gain title to up to 160 acres after living on it up to 5 years.

Manifest Destiny & Western Settlement

John Gast- American Progress

Technology Helped Settle the West Jethro Wood – Iron bladed plow – 1819 John Deere – sharp steel bladed plow Cyrus McCormick – mechanical reaper –

1834 These innovations cut labor in half;

agricultural supply increased.

Settling The Pacific Coast & Western Migration

Pacific Coast: some settlers moved to the Pacific coast away from the “desert” of the Great Plains.

US, Britain, and Native Americans claimed Oregon Convention of 1818- US & Britain agree to jointly

occupy Oregon. Santa Fe Trail, California Trail & Oregon Trail Mountain men (Kit Carson & Jim Bridger) Overlanders – people traveling west The Donner Party

◦ 1846 – 87 Overlanders – trapped in Sierra Nevada mountains◦ 41 died- survivors resorted to cannibalism

Native Americans – mixed reception – some welcomed trade others were concerned & angry

Treaty of Fort Laramie – 1851◦ 8 Tribes agreed to boundaries while US promised these

territories would forever belong to the Native Americans= began reservation system for Great Plains Indians.

The Trails West

Hispanic Southwest (7.2) 1821 Mexican gained independence from Spain Mexico controlled territory in California, New

Mexico, & Texas Russia- was settling down coast of the Pacific. John Sutter –

◦ bought 50,000 acres & built Sutter’s Fort◦ Became entrance point for those entering California

By 1845 more than 200 Americans had settled in California

“Rancheros” (Spanish Dons) had most land & power.

Mestizos – mixed birth Spanish and European Vaqueros (cowboy) – some “Mestizo’s” worked as

cowboys. Tejanos – Spanish speaking inhabitants

Trouble in New Mexico Part of Mexican territory Consisted of New Mexico & Arizona

1820’s Apache & Navajo Indians attacked New Mexico (Mexican Government could not protect the citizens).

1837- Pueblo people & Hispanic settlers rebelled & killed the Mexican territorial Governor & 16 officials.

Americans settle the Mexican Borderlands Before Mexican independence, Americans were moving into

California (John Sutter) 1821--William Becknell – Santa Fe Trail (trail for trade

which linked Santa Fe to Independence, Missouri. 1845- 700 Americans lived in CaliforniaTexas Texas- served as a buffer colony that separated the US from

the rest of Mexico. Tejanos- (2500) lived mostly in San Antonio & Goliad 1821- National Colonization Act: Mexico gave land to

“empresarios” who in turn were to fill the land with settlers.

Stephen Austin (American) –most successful empresario (Washington-on-the-Brazos)

** Tensions began to develop

Texas Becomes “Americanized”

Americans who settled on Mexican territory did not adopt Mexican culture, were not loyal to Mexico, and did not become Catholic.

1826- Benjamin Edwards rebelled & set up “Fredonia”; claimed Texas was independent.

The revolt was put down by Stephen Austin & Mexican troops.

1830- Mexico passed new laws: No new immigration No importation of slaves Tax on goods imported into Mexico** angered the settlers

Texas Goes to War1832 Convention- settlers met as tensions

rose. Chose Stephen Austin to be their leader at

meetingIssued Two requests to Mexico1. Reopen Mexico territory to American

immigrants2. Loosen taxes on imported goods.

1833 Meeting: separate from Mexico, set up constitution, Stephen Austin to negotiate with Mexico.

1834– Stephen Austin arrested by Mexican government (President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna)

1835- Austin released & urged Texans to organize an army.

Two Sides & Early Battles The Mexican Army: no sound leadership,

training, or support. The Texans –no military training; settled on

Sam Houston to lead them.

Battles (1835) Gonzales (military outpost of

Texans)- Texans end up driving Mexican force out of San Antonio.

1836- Texas officially declared independence from Mexico & drew up a constitution.

BattlesFeb. 1836- The Battle of the Alamo- Santa

Anna’s Mexican force of 6,000 faced 180 Texans barricaded in an old Spanish mission.

Texans in Alamo led by William Travis Main goal of the Texans—hold out long

enough for Sam Houston to build an army. Held out for 13 days! March 1836- Mexican forces stormed the

Alamo March 1836- Goliad– Americans

surrendered to Mexican forces & were executed.

** Both the Alamo & Goliad united Texans!!

The Republic of Texas

April 21, 1836- The Battle of San Jacinto: Lasted 20 minutes…killing continued for

hours. Sam Houston’s Texans attacked (had the

element of surprise) Defeated Santa Anna & Mexican forces

(took Mexican 700 prisoners) Santa Anna forced to sign a treaty which

granted Texas independence. Mexico refused to accept the treaty!

The Republic of Texas Created Sept. 1836- Republic of Texas had an

election; voted Sam Houston President of Texas.

Voted overwhelmingly to be annexed (to become a part of) by the US.

Some Northern members of US Congress—refused to annex Texas (it would create another slave state).

President Jackson- made no move to annex Texas

Jackson only recognized it as independent nation on his last day in office.