Lesson 24: Western Expansion

John O’Sullivan

Newspaper editor who coined the term Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that the U.S. had a God-given mission to expand west and spread liberty.

Oregon Trail

Major migration route to Oregon; dangerous journey with disease, weather, and wagons.

Wagon Trains

Groups of settlers traveling west by covered wagons.

California Trail

Route to California; ended near Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento.

Route to California; ended near Sutter’s Fort in Sacramento.

Trading post in California; key destination for settlers before the Gold Rush.

Texas

Northern province of Mexico that Americans settled in before independence.

Stephen Austin

American land promoter; brought settlers to Texas in the 1820s.

“GTT” (“Gone to Texas”)

Phrase used when Americans left for Texas for opportunity or escape.

Santa Anna

Mexican president; opposed American settlement and led troops at the Alamo.

The Alamo

Mission/fort in San Antonio; site of famous 1836 battle where Texans were defeated.

Sam Houston

Commander of Texan forces; later president of the Republic of Texas.

Republic of Texas

Independent nation after the revolt; legalized slavery.

Battle of San Jacinto

Texans captured Santa Anna; secured Texas independence.

Rio Grande River

Texas claimed this as its southern border.

Lone Star Republic

Texas as an independent nation (1836–1845); slavery protected and free Blacks banned.

James K. Polk

President elected in 1844; expansionist who sought Oregon and California.

54°40′

Northern boundary the U.S. wanted for Oregon (“54-40 or fight!”).

John Fremont

Army officer exploring the West; helped spark revolt in California.

Sonoma

Site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt.

Bear Flag Revolt

American settlers in California declared independence from Mexico.

Republic of California

Short-lived independent California during 1846 before U.S. control.

Sojourner Truth

Former enslaved woman; gave the “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech linking abolitionism and feminism.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel exposing the brutality of slavery.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Elijah P. Lovejoy

Abolitionist editor killed by a pro-slavery mob.

Gag Rule

Congressional rule blocking discussion of anti-slavery petitions (1836–1844).

Underground Railroad

Network helping enslaved people escape north.

Harriet Tubman

Key conductor on the Underground Railroad.