Westward Expansion
Aleesa H.
Gold Rush Performance
Manifest Destiny
Mexican-American War
During the war time, California declared it's independence from Mexico. Mexico couldn't do anything about this like they did in the Texas Revolution because they were busy at war with the rest of America. This incident was known as the Bear Flag Revolt.
At the end of the war, America emerged victorious. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. This treaty gave the United States control of present-day California, Nevada, and Utah for $15 million. The purchase increased the size of the United States by 25%. This was known as the Mexican Cession.
About five years later, America and Mexico agreed on the Gadsden purchase. This was the sale of land in Arizona and New Mexico to America for $10 million. Mexico was running low on money, so they accepted the deal.
Texas Revolution
Settlers began moving to Texas because of empresarios. Empresarios were people given the right to settle land in exchange for them recruiting new people to live there. They brought many new settlers in to populate the vast wilderness that was Texas. Eventually, there were enough people there and they wanted to break free from Mexico, who technically ruled over them. Texans declared their independence on March 2, 1836. Mexico was not okay with this, and war broke out. One major battle of the war was the Battle of the Alamo. Mexican General Santa Anna won the battle, killing almost all of the Texans in that area. The Texans killed here include legends Davy Crockett and Jun Bowie. Mexico seemed to be winning the war until the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna's army was quickly surrounded by the Texans, who were spurred on by the cries of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" (Goliad was a slaughter earlier in the war, where Santa Anna and his troops massacred 342 Texans). With the army surrounded, they were easily defeated. Santa Anna was held at gunpoint and forced to sign a treaty granting Texas independence.
1827 - US and UK occupy Oregon
1836 - Texas Independence
1845 - Texas Annexed
1846 - America Declares War
1848 - Mexican Cession
1848 - Gold found in California
1849 - Gold rush starts
1853 - Gadsden Purchase
Trails West in the 1840s
Oregon - a trail leading from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon. It was used by those wanting to travel and settle to the west. The Oregon Trail is one of the most well-known trails of the time period.
California - a trail starting near Independence, Missouri, leading near Sacramento, California. It served essentially the same purpose as the Oregon Trail; that is, to travel west, gain land, find gold, and settle.
Santa Fe - a trail starting near Independence, Missouri, leading down to Sante Fe Texas. This trail, while sometimes used to gain land, was primarily a trade route. Many would travel the trail in groups, exchange their own goods for Mexican ones near the border, then take the Mexican good back to Missouri or beyond to sell for a higher price. This served as a good way for someone to make a living if they did not want to settle in the west.
Mormon- a trail travelled by the Mormons. The Mormons are a religious group that stems from Christianity. They were kicked out of Jackson County, Missouri, and moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. They were kicked out there as well, and they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. The trail from Illinois to Utah was known as the Mormon trail. It was traveled for religious purposes and to find the land spoken about in the golden plates.