Chapter 13Chapter 13Moving WestMoving West

The American PeopleThe American People, 6, 6thth ed. ed.

I.I. Probing the Trans-Probing the Trans-Mississippi WestMississippi West

The International Context for The International Context for American ExpansionAmerican Expansion

In 1815, save for the Louisiana Purchase, Spain In 1815, save for the Louisiana Purchase, Spain held onto most of the trans-Mississippi west.held onto most of the trans-Mississippi west.

Spanish holdings eventually encompassed Spanish holdings eventually encompassed present-day Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, present-day Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, California and more. Nevada, Utah, Colorado, California and more. Mexican independence in 1821 gave the new Mexican independence in 1821 gave the new country all of Spain’s holdings.country all of Spain’s holdings.

North of California was Oregon Territory, North of California was Oregon Territory, disputed between America and England.disputed between America and England.

Early Interest in the WestEarly Interest in the West Early settlers sought beaver skins as early Early settlers sought beaver skins as early

as 1811 in the Oregon backcountry.as 1811 in the Oregon backcountry. In the Southwest the collapse of the In the Southwest the collapse of the

Spanish Empire flooded the region with an Spanish Empire flooded the region with an assortment of settlers.assortment of settlers.

A few New Englanders settled in California A few New Englanders settled in California and exploited the sea-otter trade.and exploited the sea-otter trade.

Many Indians relocated from eastern lands Many Indians relocated from eastern lands to present-day Oklahoma.to present-day Oklahoma.

Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny Phrase coined in 1845 by John L. Phrase coined in 1845 by John L.

O’Sullivan, editor of the O’Sullivan, editor of the Democratic Democratic Review.Review.

Expressed conviction that the Expressed conviction that the development of a superior system of development of a superior system of government and lifestyle dictated a God-government and lifestyle dictated a God-given right of Americans to spread their given right of Americans to spread their civilization to the four corners of the civilization to the four corners of the continent.continent.

Territorial expansion was a mandate of Territorial expansion was a mandate of Manifest Destiny.Manifest Destiny.

II.II. Winning the Trans-Winning the Trans-Mississippi WestMississippi West

Annexing Texas, 1845Annexing Texas, 1845 Mexico feared a hostile takeover of Texas after Mexico feared a hostile takeover of Texas after

repeated attempt by the United States to buy the repeated attempt by the United States to buy the territory.territory.

To strengthen border areas, Mexico offered land To strengthen border areas, Mexico offered land for reduced costs requiring only that the settlers for reduced costs requiring only that the settlers become Mexican citizens and Catholics.become Mexican citizens and Catholics.

Stephen Austin and many other contractors Stephen Austin and many other contractors organized parties of settlers into Texas.organized parties of settlers into Texas.

Few settlers honored their agreement with Few settlers honored their agreement with Mexico.Mexico.

Texans won their independence from Mexico in Texans won their independence from Mexico in 1836 and were annexed by America nine years 1836 and were annexed by America nine years later.later.

War with Mexico, War with Mexico, 1846 - 18481846 - 1848 Mexico severed diplomatic ties with Mexico severed diplomatic ties with

America after its annexation of Texas.America after its annexation of Texas. President Polk failed to appreciate the President Polk failed to appreciate the

humiliation of the Mexicans and sent humiliation of the Mexicans and sent American troops to forestall a potential American troops to forestall a potential invasion. Hostilities quickly followed.invasion. Hostilities quickly followed.

Debate in Washington simmered as U.S. Debate in Washington simmered as U.S. forces swept into Mexico and took the forces swept into Mexico and took the capital city.capital city.

California and New MexicoCalifornia and New Mexico President Polk communicated that any President Polk communicated that any

resolution of the Mexican war would have resolution of the Mexican war would have to include California and New Mexico.to include California and New Mexico.

The U.S. government, magnanimously The U.S. government, magnanimously attempted to buy the territories from attempted to buy the territories from Mexico to no avail.Mexico to no avail.

Superior American military strength Superior American military strength secured the future states in 1847.secured the future states in 1847.

The Treaty of Guadalupe The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848Hidalgo, 1848

The final treaty between America and Mexico in The final treaty between America and Mexico in the erathe era

Set the Rio Grande as America’s south borderSet the Rio Grande as America’s south border Increased U.S. territory by 529,000 square milesIncreased U.S. territory by 529,000 square miles Awarded Mexico $15 million and set terms for Awarded Mexico $15 million and set terms for

Gadsden Purchase of southern Arizona and Gadsden Purchase of southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico for an additional $10 millionparts of New Mexico for an additional $10 million

The Oregon Question, 1844 - The Oregon Question, 1844 - 18461846

Although disputed by both America and England, Although disputed by both America and England, President Polk claimed settlement of Americans President Polk claimed settlement of Americans in the territory as a “presumption of possession.”in the territory as a “presumption of possession.”

The British government did not agree but were The British government did not agree but were powerless to stop thousands of settlers migrating powerless to stop thousands of settlers migrating to Oregon.to Oregon.

Despite slogans and diatribe, Polk was unwilling Despite slogans and diatribe, Polk was unwilling to fight and sought a diplomatic resolution to the to fight and sought a diplomatic resolution to the issue.issue.

England eagerly accepted Vancouver Island in England eagerly accepted Vancouver Island in return for dropping her claims to Oregon.return for dropping her claims to Oregon.

III. Going West and EastIII. Going West and East

The EmigrantsThe Emigrants Most emigrants to the far West were Most emigrants to the far West were

white and American by birth. white and American by birth. Some free blacks also make the six-Some free blacks also make the six-

month overland trip.month overland trip. Most traveled with family and relatives.Most traveled with family and relatives. Only during the Gold Rush years did Only during the Gold Rush years did

large numbers of unmarried men travel large numbers of unmarried men travel West independently.West independently.

Migrants’ MotivesMigrants’ Motives Most emigrants sought wealth in the form Most emigrants sought wealth in the form

of gold and silver.of gold and silver. Other sought to set up businesses as Other sought to set up businesses as

merchants or land speculators.merchants or land speculators. Some traveled to the warmer climate to Some traveled to the warmer climate to

restore their health.restore their health. Others followed the direction of church Others followed the direction of church

leaders for religious or cultural missions.leaders for religious or cultural missions.

IV. Living in the WestIV. Living in the West

Farming in the WestFarming in the West

New arrivals in the West had to stake a New arrivals in the West had to stake a claim and clear the land of obstructions.claim and clear the land of obstructions.

As they began their farming, the As they began their farming, the emigrants unconsciously harmed the emigrants unconsciously harmed the land by introducing foreign weeds and land by introducing foreign weeds and poor farming techniques.poor farming techniques.

Cities in the WestCities in the West Some emigrants went west for the Some emigrants went west for the

express purpose of living in a fast-growing express purpose of living in a fast-growing city such as San Francisco or Denver.city such as San Francisco or Denver.

Young, single men made up an Young, single men made up an overwhelming majority of these urban overwhelming majority of these urban centers’ populations.centers’ populations.

Opportunities were always greatest for Opportunities were always greatest for those who brought significant assets with those who brought significant assets with them from the East.them from the East.

V. Cultures in ConflictV. Cultures in Conflict

Confronting the Confronting the Plains TribesPlains Tribes

Americans moving west were continually Americans moving west were continually shocked by the cultural differences between shocked by the cultural differences between them and the native tribes along the trails.them and the native tribes along the trails.

Problems arose as grazing cattle and Problems arose as grazing cattle and indiscriminate buffalo hunting quickly depleted indiscriminate buffalo hunting quickly depleted the traditional hunting grounds of the Plains the traditional hunting grounds of the Plains tribes.tribes.

A chain of American forts was constructed along A chain of American forts was constructed along the major trails to foil Indian interference.the major trails to foil Indian interference.