Student VersionChapter 11, Sec. 3

Westward Ho!

All through the early 1800s …. Settlers moved west, for more wide open land.  Americans wanted liberty to stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Stephen. F. Austin started the first American settlement in Texas in 1821.

Capital of Texas- Austin

The Move Into Texas

A grant issued by the Government of Mexico allowed 300 families to be brought to Texas. 

By 1830 had 8,000 us immigrants  living in Texas.  Most lived on the grants he gave to families.

The Move Into Texas, Cont.

Daring men pushed into New Mexico and lived in large towns like Santa Fe and Albuquerque.   Made living off of raising sheep and growing corn. 

Spanish and the mestizo (combo native and outsider) settlers were constantly at war Indian tribes (Apache, Ute, Navaho and Comanche)

Traders and Trappers

American Traders and settlers passing through New Mexico would end up in jail or lose their trading goods. 

This changed with the signing of the Mexican Declaration of Independence in 1821. 

Becknell put together a large expedition of wagons and settlers moving west. 

Becknell established the famous Santa Fe Trail. 

This trail was important highway in moving west.

Traders and Trappers, Cont.

Trappers and hunters traveled seeking furs. 

They discovered short cuts through the mountains, learned the language and customs of Indians. 

Fur trade had drawn explorers west.  Were the pathfinders for future generations moving west.

Mountain Men

American sailors settled here. Visited Oregon ports to exchange goods and to pick up furs. Sailed to china to trade furs and goods. John Jacob Astor first American to start a settlement in Oregon. 

Nathaniel J Wyeth of Massachusetts took a small group west to trade.  Started the Oregon Trail.  

Move Into Oregon

Since Oregon was so secluded, on July 5th, 1843, the settlers made their own constitution  

It lasted until The United States of America extended their Jurisdiction over them.   

Move Into Oregon, Cont.

First Americans to settle in California arrived at that land by boat.

New settlers traded to the missions for hires and tallow from cattle.

The trade and the beauty of California is what drew settlers in.

California in the 1800's

When Christian missions were broken up by the Mexican Government, settlers lost their main traders.

Trading agents, who would later play a part in making California part of the United States, were introduced.

Most people made their way west via the Oregon Trail to Great Salt Lake and then heading southwest.

California in the 1800's, Cont.

People seldom traveled west alone, either because they would pick up people along the way or because they were too afraid of Indians, etc.

There were not many trails to travel to the west except for the ones shown by the past explorers. This is why people would end up traveling in groups. Everyone is moving west on the same few trails

Wagon Towns Moving West

An average wagon was 10 feet long by 8.5 feet wide, was drawn by three pairs of oxen, and could carry a ton.

It was a long trip, around 5 months as a good speed, so the wagon town had to appoint leaders, judges, select juries, arrange marriages, perform funerals, and have a government.

Wagon Towns Moving West, Cont.

When a lot of people ended up together, they formed a sort of moving city, or wagon town.

With enough wagons, at night they could form a sort of barrier against Indians or attacks.

Travelers could shoot from behind the protection of the wagons. Though in truth Indians were there least threat.

Wagon Towns Moving West, Cont.

The Mormons moved west to escape religious persecution

They settled in Missouri and Illinois but were later persecuted by their neighbors who heard stories about them.

The Mormons Move to Utah

The Mormons finally had to move on when the founder of their religion and their leader, Joseph Smith, was killed along with his brother Hyrum

They decided to move Northwest towards the Great Salt Lake.

By cooperation, discipline, and hard work, the Mormons dug irrigation systems and made the dry land bloom.

The Mormons Move to Utah, Cont.