Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny (1844-1877)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to westward expansion and Manifest Destiny in the United States from 1844 to 1877.

Westward Expansion

The movement of settlers into the western territories of the United States, significant in shaping American culture and identity.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the United States was destined by God to expand its territory across North America.

James K. Polk

The 11th President of the United States who was a strong proponent of westward expansion and Manifest Destiny.

Texas Annexation

The incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States as the 28th state in 1845, escalating tensions with Mexico.

Oregon Trail

A major route for westward migration in the mid-19th century, attracting thousands of settlers to the Oregon Territory.

Homestead Act

A law passed that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for free and a five-year commitment to improve the land.

Preemption Act

An 1841 law that allowed settlers to purchase land they had settled on before it was sold to the public.

California Gold Rush

A mass migration to California in the late 1840s after gold was discovered, leading to significant population growth.

Mexican-American War

A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 that resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States.

Indigenous Displacement

The forced removal of Native American populations from their lands due to westward expansion and U.S. policies.

[Figure] James K. Polk

Context: Election of 1844. Description: 11^{th} President of the United States. Views: Centered his campaign on territorial expansion and Manifest Destiny. Impact: Successfully led the U.S. to acquire Texas, California, and the Oregon territory, set the stage for the Civil War.

[Theme] Manifest Destiny

Context: Mid-19^{th} century U.S. nationalism. Description: The belief that God ordained the U.S. to spread its governance and liberty across North America. Cause and Effect: Driven by a sense of superiority; resulted in massive westward migration, conflicts with Native Americans, and the Mexican-American War.

[Figure] John O'Sullivan

Context: Writing during the peak of westward migration. Description: An influential columnist and editor. Views: Believed in the inherent right of Americans to possess the continent for the development of liberty. Impact: Coined and popularized the phrase "Manifest Destiny," providing an ideological framework for expansion.

[Policy/Document] Proclamation Line of 1763

Context: End of the French and Indian War. Description: British decree forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Cause and Effect: Caused by the British desire to avoid Indian conflicts; resulted in colonial grievances that contributed to the American Revolution.

[Document/Event] Louisiana Purchase

Context: 1803 under Thomas Jefferson. Description: The acquisition of French territory that doubled the size of the U.S. Cause and Effect: Driven by the need for land for farmers; resulted in rapid westward migration but also required fresh soil for Southern cotton, fueling the demand for more land.

[Policy] Preemption Act of 1841

Context: Jeffersonian ideals of an "empire of liberty." Description: Law allowing squatters to buy 160 acres of land at a low price before it was offered for public sale. Cause and Effect: Intended to encourage settlement by making land affordable; led to significant organized migration into territories like Nebraska and Kansas.

[Policy/Document] Homestead Act of 1862

Context: Civil War era legislation. Description: Offered 160 acres of free land to those who resided on and improved it for 5 years. Cause and Effect: Aimed to promote Northern agrarian interests and weaken Southern claims; resulted in a massive settlement of the western frontier until its closure in 1890.

[Migration/Religion] Mormon Migration

Context: Beginning in 1847 after religious persecution in the East. Description: The move of 16,000 Latter-day Saints to the Utah territory. Cause and Effect: Caused by the murder of founder Joseph Smith; resulted in the establishment of a religious refuge near the Great Salt Lake led by Brigham Young.

[Goal/Decision] 54-40 or Fight

Context: 1844 Presidential Campaign. Description: A slogan demanding the U.S. boundary for Oregon be set at the 54^{\circ}40' line. Cause and Effect: Reflected Polk's aggressive expansionist stance against Great Britain; eventually led to a compromise treaty to avoid war.

[Figure] Matthew Perry

Context: 1854 expedition to Japan. Description: U.S. Commodore sent to open trade relations with the East. Views: Believed in using military intimidation to secure economic interests. Impact: Successfully forced Japan to end its 200-year isolation policy and open ports for American trade.

[Event] California Gold Rush

Context: Discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848. Description: A period of rapid migration to California by seekers of mineral wealth. Cause and Effect: Driven by economic opportunity; resulted in a population surge that allowed California to apply for statehood, further destabilizing the balance between free and slave states.

[Geography] Oregon Territory

Impact: Known for its rich, fertile soil, it became the target of "Oregon Fever." The joint occupation by the U.S. and Britain since 1818 was eventually overwhelmed by 350,000 American settlers, ensuring U.S. control of the region.

[Figure] Thomas Jefferson

Context: Early American Republic. Description: Author of the Declaration of Independence and 3^{rd} President. Views: Envisioned an "empire of liberty" sustained by independent farmers. Impact: His assertion of the right to migrate and the Louisiana Purchase laid the foundation for future westward expansion.

[Vocabulary] Social Safety Net

Description: The ideological concept that the West provided an alternative for the poor and overcrowded urban populations of the East. Context: Discussed during the ratification of the Constitution. Cause and Effect: Believed to alleviate central government pressures; led to policies that prioritized accessible land for the common citizen.

[War] American Revolution

Context: 1775-1783. Description: War for independence from Great Britain. Cause and Effect: Partially caused by British restrictions on westward movement; resulted in the U.S. gaining land that immediately sparked a desire for further western expansion.

[Migration] Oregon Fever

Context: 1840s to 1860s. Description: A mass migration movement along the Oregon Trail. Cause and Effect: Driven by the discovery of extremely fertile soil; resulted in around 350,000 settlers moving to the Pacific Northwest by 1860.

[Figure] Brigham Young

Context: Mid-19^{th} century. Description: Successor to Joseph Smith and leader of the Mormon church. Views: Sought an isolated location where Mormons could practice their religion without persecution. Impact: Led the Mormons to the Utah territory and oversaw the development of Salt Lake City.

[Vocabulary] Squatters

Description: Individuals who settled on land they did not legally own. Context: Preemption Act of 1841. Cause and Effect: Driven by the scarcity of affordable land; resulted in the government passing laws to allow them to buy their homesteads at low prices to encourage western development.

[Figure] Joseph Smith

Context: Second Great Awakening period. Description: Founder of the Mormon faith (Latter-Day Saints). Views: Established a unique American religious movement. Impact: His murder created a leadership vacuum and safety crisis that forced his followers to migrate west to Utah.

[War] Mexican-American War

Context: 1846-1848. Description: Conflict between the U.S. and Mexico. Cause and Effect: Caused by the expansionist ideology of Manifest Destiny and the annexation of Texas; resulted in the U.S. gaining the Mexican Cession, which intensified the national debate over slavery.

SAQ: Briefly explain ONE historical factor that contributed to the rise of Manifest Destiny in the 1840s.

One factor was the belief in the superiority of American governance and liberty, popularized by John O'Sullivan. This nationalistic ideology suggested that God had ordained the U.S. to overspread the continent, justifying the acquisition of land and resources to spread democratic ideals.

SAQ: Briefly explain ONE specific government action between 1841 and 1862 that encouraged westward migration.

The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged migration by offering 160 acres of land for free to settlers who lived on and improved the land for five years. This policy aimed to weaken Southern land claims during the Civil War and promote the 'empire of liberty' through agrarian settlement.

SAQ: Briefly explain ONE way in which westward expansion influenced United States foreign policy in Asia during the mid-19th century.

As the U.S. reached the Pacific, interest in Asian trade grew, leading to Commodore Matthew Perry's expedition in 1854. Perry utilized the threat of naval force to pressure Japan into ending its isolationist policy and opening its ports to American trade.

SAQ: Briefly explain ONE specific economic motivation for different groups of people migrating West in the period 1844 to 1860.

One motivation was the discovery of mineral resources, such as the California Gold Rush of 1848, which drew thousands of 'forty-niners' seeking instant wealth. Alternatively, Southern cotton farmers migrated Westward because their crops had depleted the soil in the East, necessitating fresh land in territories like Texas.