Western expansion (copy)

Mountain Men

People who trapped animals and traded skins in the Rocky Mountains.

Brigham Young

Leader of the Mormons who settled Salt Lake City after Joseph Smith's assassination.

William Becknell

Opened a trade route between the United States and Mexico in New Mexico/Santa Fe.

John C. Fremont

American explorer who surveyed Western lands and helped establish migration routes.

Stephen Austin

Known as the 'Father of Texas', he led 300 American families into Texas.

Donner Party

A group that resorted to cannibalism to survive after taking a shortcut in the Sierra Nevada.

Sam Houston

Texan general who led the army to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Antonio Santa Anna

Dictator of Mexico during the Texas Revolution, signed Treaty of Velasco.

Zachary Taylor

General sent to defend Texas; led US forces in the Mexican-American War.

Winfield Scott

General known for defeating Santa Anna and capturing Mexico City during the Mexican War.

Battle of Gonzales

First battle of the Texan Revolution, where Texans resisted a Mexican attempt to take a cannon.

Remember the Alamo

A famous siege during the Texan Revolution where Texans resisted Santa Anna's troops.

Battle of San Jacinto

A decisive battle where Sam Houston’s forces defeated Santa Anna in 18 minutes.

Treaty of Fort Laramie

Treaty allowing settlers to move across the Great Plains without being attacked.

Election of 1844

An election focusing on westward expansion, leading to Polk’s victory.

Battle of Buena Vista

A battle where American and Mexican forces inflicted heavy casualties on each other.

Bear Flag Republic

A short-lived independent nation formed in California during the Mexican War.

Battle of Veracruz

A siege leading to the capture of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty ending the Mexican-American War, which ceded territory to the US.

Manifest Destiny

The belief in the divine right of Americans to expand westward.

Squatters (Preemption Act)

People living on land they don’t own; the act allowed purchase for $1.25 an acre.

Empresarios

Individuals given rights to large plots of land in Texas and responsible for settling them.

Annex (ation)

The act of taking territory; Texas was annexed by many Americans.

'54 40 or Fight'

Slogan regarding the northern border with British Canada.

Envoy

A diplomatic representative sent by a nation.

Siege

Surrounding an enemy to weaken them, as used in Veracruz.

Cede

To give up power or territory after settlement.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

Overlanders

People who migrated west on land trails.

49ers

Individuals who moved to California specifically to mine for gold.

Treaty of Velasco

Agreement signed by Santa Anna, ending the Texas Revolution.

Siege of Veracruz

A critical siege that led to the capture of Mexico City in the Mexican War.

Texas Revolution

Conflict between Texas settlers and Mexican authorities leading to Texas independence.

Battle of the Alamo

A pivotal event in the Texas Revolution where Mexican forces besieged Texan defenders.

Sierra Nevada

Mountain range where the Donner Party faced difficulties.

Oregon Trail

Major route for westward migration in the 1840s and 1850s.

Gold Rush

Mass migration to California following the discovery of gold.

Rio Grande

The river defined as the border by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Santa Anna’s Siege

Refers to the siege of the Alamo and Goliad by Mexican forces.

Mormon Trail

Route taken by Mormons to settle in Utah.

Preemption Act of 1841

Legislation that allowed settlers to buy land at a minimum price.

Californio

A term used for the Spanish-speaking inhabitants of California prior to US annexation.

Bear Flag Revolt

A rebellion leading to the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic.

Fifty Four Forty or Fight

The idea to claim all of the Oregon Territory up to latitude 54°40′.

Polk’s Expansionism

President Polk's policy promoting the annexation of Texas and acquisition of Oregon.