Western Expansion Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards based on Western Expansion study guide

Who were the leaders of the two expeditions that opened up the west?

Daniel Boone and Merriweather Lewis and William Clarke

What were the effects of early expeditions into the west?

Daniel Boone opened the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River to settlement and trade. Lewis and Clarks opened the area between the Mississippi River and the west coast to settlement and trade.

What are push and pull factors?

Forces that push people away from their homes in search of a better life and forces that attract settlers to put down roots in certain locations.

What are some push factors that convinced Americans to set out in search of a better life?

Harsh working conditions, competition for jobs and land, growing eastern population, persecution, Manifest Destiny

What are some specific pull factors that drew Americans to settle in different territories in the west?

Oregon: Mountain Men (Beaver), Missionaries (Native Americans), Pioneers (Free fertile land); Mexican Cession: California (49ers-gold), Utah (Mormons-Freedom from religious persecution), Arizona and New Mexico (Ranchers & Cowboys-grasslands for livestock); Louisiana Purchase: Farmers (fertile land)

How did most settlers travel west in the early days?

Early pioneers used Conestoga Wagons and traveled a variety of trails that lead to popular destinations like Oregon and the gold fields of California.

What were some dangers faced by settlers traveling west?

Heat, River Crossings, Disease, Mountains, Early Winter

What big improvement transformed how Americans moved west?

The Transcontinental Railroad

What three groups traveled to the Oregon Country?

Mountain Men, Missionaries, Pioneers

Why did each group go to Oregon and how did each group contribute to its settlement?

Mountain Men-Beaver-Explored and mapped much of the west; Missionaries-Native Americans-Popularized Oregon back east; Pioneers-Free fertile land-Strengthened the U.S.’s claim to Oregon

How was Oregon divided between the U.S. and England?

The U.S. and England divided Oregon at the 49th parallel.

Who controlled Texas before the United States?

Spain originally controlled Texas, but when Mexico broke away from Spain, Mexico became the governing body.

How did Texas win its independence?

Texas declared independence and appointed Sam Houston as its military commander. Texans suffered many defeats but eventually outlasted Santa Anna. Sam Houston surprised Santa Anna at San Jacinto and forced him to acknowledge Texan independence.

Why did it take so many years for Texas to be added to the Union?

Many Americans did not want to add Texas because it would come in as a slave state, disrupting the balance in the Senate. As a result, Texas had to wait 9 years to be annexed.

How did the Mexican War begin?

The Mexican War began when James K. Polk baited Mexico into a fight by sending Zachary Taylor into the disputed territory. When fighting broke out, Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war.

What land was ceded by Mexico to the United States?

In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada to the United States.

Who moved into the Utah territory and why?

Mormons moved into the Utah territory for religious freedom.

Who moved into California and why?

49ers moved into California for gold.

Who moved into the southwest and why?

Ranchers & Cowboys moved into the southwest for grasslands for cattle to graze.

Why didn't ranchers and cowboys get along with farmers?

Farmers planted crops and set up fences which disrupted cattle drives, leading to the Range Wars. Ranchers and cowboys fought to keep the Great Plains open; farmers fought to protect their farms.

How did the settlement of the west negatively affect Native Americans?

Native Americans were negatively affected by disease, starvation due to the slaughter of the buffalo, and being forced to relocate to undesirable reservations.

What are some specific examples of how Native Americans were removed from their land?

The Cherokee and Seminoles were forced to march to reservations in Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears.

What happened to Native Americans who resisted relocation?

Tribes that resisted relocation fought the U.S. government in the Indian Wars. Tribes like the Sioux won some battles but eventually succumbed to the power of the U.S. army.