Chapter Outline
Section 1: The West
Section 2: Trails to the West
Section 3: Conflict with Mexico
Section 4: A Rush to the West
Summary
In the early 1800s, several nations claimed the Oregon Country. Many Americans wanted Oregon for its access to the Pacific Ocean. The first Americans to explore the area were fur traders and mountain men; the first settlers were missionaries, who brought not only Christianity, but measles to the Native Americans in Oregon.
Since colonial times, many people thought the nation’s mission was to be a model of freedom. In the 1800s, however, many believed that the United States was destined to spread freedom by occupying the entire continent. A flood of pioneers made the difficult trip west to Oregon, while President James Polk negotiated Oregon’s northern border with Britain.
Because the Spanish wanted to encourage the growth of Texas, they offered land grants to those willing to settle there. However, when Americans began to outnumber Mexican settlers, the newly-independent Mexico attempted to limit immigration from the United States. Led by Sam Houston, Americans and Tejanos declared Texas an independent Republic and asked to be annexed by the United States. Because it was expected to be a slave state, Texas was not admitted to the Union until 1845, when the United States hoped to admit Oregon as a free state.
Unlike American settlers, American traders were welcome in Mexico. The Santa Fe Trail, which linked Missouri to the Mexican province of New Mexico, developed into a busy trade route. Meanwhile, Mexicans settled in California and established large ranchos and they used Native Americans to work for them in return for food and shelter.
In 1846 disputes over the Texas-Mexico border led to a war between the United States and Mexico. James Polk’s war plan led to Mexico’s defeat. The Mexicans were forced to give up Texas and sell California and New Mexico to the United States.
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, many people from across the nation traveled to the area to strike it rich. Unlike boomtown merchants, very few of these forty-niners made lasting wealth. Nevertheless, many remained in California, which grew rapidly and was admitted to the Union in 1850.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose followers were called Mormons, was one of many religious movements that emerged during the 1830s and 1840s. To escape persecution in Illinois, the Mormons under Brigham Young carried out the largest single migration of Americans. They settled in present day Utah, where the Mormons set up farms and despite conflicts between Mormons and federal officials, Utah was admitted to the Union in 1896.
Chapter 13 Study GuideManifest Destiny Crossword PuzzleManifest Destiny Crossword Puzzle 2Manifest Destiny Crossword Puzzle 3Chapter 13 - Vocabulary FlashcardsMore Chapter 13 Vocabulary FlashcardsEven More Chapter 13 Vocabulary FlashcardsLots More Chapter 13 Vocabulary FlashcardsChapter Review videoChapter 13 Progress CheckMoving West - VIDEO (28 min)Westward Expansion Review Game 1Westerward Expansion Review Game 2Westward Expansion Review
