Westward Expansion
Manifest Destiny Painting
Divine authority to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. In the painting there are farmers, wagons, horses, and settlers are moving west to settle for land. The woman in the painting is supposed to be bringing "light" to the west. Many people traveled west with families to start a new life west.
Picture Timeline
1827- UK and US jointly agree to occupy Oregon
On October 20, 1818, in order to improve relations in the wake of the War of 1812, Great Britain and the United States agree to peaceful coexistence in the Pacific Northwest by signing the Convention of 1818.
1836- Texas independence
On March 2, 1836, Texas formally declared its independence from Mexico. Similar to the United States Declaration of Independence, this document focused on the rights of citizens to life and liberty but with an emphasis on the property of the citizen.
1845- Texas annexed
Polk accomplished this through the annexation of Texas in 1845, the negotiation of the Oregon treaty with Great Britain in 1846, and the conclusion of the Mexican-American War in 1848, which ended with the signing and ratification of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848.
1846- US declares war on Mexico
In 1846 Congress voted to approve a declaration of war against Mexico sought by President James Polk. By the end of war in 1848, Mexico had lost nearly half its territory. Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Rio Grande became the southern boundary of Texas.
1848- Mexican cession
From the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to the United States. In return, the United States paid Mexico $15 million, or about $373 million in today’s dollars.
1848- Gold discovered in CA.
On January 24, 1848, in Coloma gold was discovered by James Marshal who was building a windmill for Captain John Sutter when he noticed several flakes of metal and recognized them to be gold.
!849- Gold rush starts
After the discovery of gold in 1848 caused California's population to increase dramatically. Many Americans were moving west from eastern states that hoped to make a fortune in California. There were many trails to get to California; the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, California Trail and the Mormons Trail.
1853- Gadsden purchase
In 1853 Gadsden was sent to Mexico to negotiate a redefinition of the border. Mexico was in need of money and sold the required strip of territory and the railroad was was able to be built.
Trails Map West
There were 4 overland trails to California but each trail had different purposes. The Santa Fe trail was so people could trade with other people in California. The Oregon Trail was used so settlers could settle on unsettled land. The California Trail was so people could get to California and get gold because the gold rush. The Mormon Trail was used for settlers religions and settlement.
Texas Revolution
Settlers moved to Texas to increase the population and to use all the empty land.
The Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a the first battle between Santa Anna's army and the Texans. It was fought at a church that the Texans used to hide out against the Mexican Army. The Texans were able to hold off the Mexican Army for awhile but the size of the Army was too much for the Texans. Every Texan was killed in the Battle of the Alamo.
The Battle of San Jacinto
The Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836, was the decisive battle of the Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston , the Texan Army engaged and defeated General Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight and Texas gained their independence from Mexico.
Perfomance Writing
I'm on a steamboat taking people to San Francisco to the gold rush. Many people have different reasons for going west for gold. Some are going for religious reasons and to get away from people not accepting their religion. Others are going to settle land and settle for at least 5 years. Lastly people are going for gold and make a fortune from the gold they mine in California.