Oregon Trail, Texas Independence, Mexican-American War, and Gold Rush Study Set

James Polk

U.S. President during Mexican-American War, Huge believer in Manifest Destiny, Got Oregon Territory, Provoked Mexico in the Mexican-American war, annexed Texas.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Seized power of the Mexican gov in 1834, attempted to crush the Texan rebellion, defeated by Sam Houston, favored a strong federal gov & powerful military. Lost Mexican-American.

Sam Houston

Strong believer in Texas independence, liked army against Santa Anna with slogan "remember the Alamo" Defeated Santa Anna, became President of the Lone Star Republic, asked the U.S. to annex Texas.

Stephen F Austin

Led settling in San Antonio (Present day Austin, Texas)

Zachary Taylor

Sent to the border to provoke Mexico by Polk, eventually led army into Mexico and defeated many of Santa Anna's forces (Helped win the war)

Winfield Scott

Sent by Polk to Mexico to capture Mexico City, defeated Los Ninos Heroes, 1847 Scott captured Mexico City and ended the war.

Forty Niners

80,000 people who fled to Cali. in search of gold (not many found gold)

Manifest Destiny

The idea that the U.S. should be the entire continent of N. America (very much "encouraged" by God)

Expansionists

People who favored territorial growth (wanted N.M., Texas, and Cali.)

Oregon Trail

Most popular trail to the west, people (mainly farmers looking for fertile land) who were looking for opportunities, traveled in Wagons, 260,000 people crossed across the U.S. from 1840-1860, poor living conditions.

Tejanos

Mexicans living in Texas, supported Texas independence.

The Alamo

A fortified former mission in San Antonio, Mexico slaughtered everyone inside, famous battle, remembered as a tragic event.

What did Sam Houston want the U.S. to do with Texas?

He wanted the U.S. to annex Texas and make it a state. (Eventually annexed by James Polk)

Impact the Gold Rush had on Natives and Foreigners

White miners killed thousands of Natives for land, heavy taxes implemented on foreigners, faced discrimination.

Life on the Oregon Trail

Extremely poor living conditions, big groups of wagons traveled together.

Gasden Purchase

U.S. obtained 30,000 miles in Southern Arizona and New Mexico.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

a treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and gave the United States much of Mexico's northern territory

When did the U.S. annex Texas?

1845

When did the Mexican-American war end?

1847

When did people cross the Oregon Trail?

1840-1860

Where did Winfield Scott go to end the Mexican-American War?

Mexico City

Where is the Alamo?

San Antonio, Texas

Where is the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico?

Rio Grande River

Why did the Mormons move to Utah?

Religious Freedom

Why did Texas declare independence?

They wanted: Full autonomy, slaves, keep their own religions instead of converting to Catholicism.

Why did the U.S. declare war on Mexico?

The Mexicans "Shed American blood on American soil"

Why was California not an attractive place to move to?

There was poor living conditions for miners, lawless, disease, ruined environment due to mining.

Why was California not immediately accepted into statehood?

The states were 15/15 on the topic of slavery

Why would James Polk be considered one of the most consequential Presidents of all time?

James Polk gained the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the Gasden Purchase, and the Oregon Territory for the U.S., which is more than one third of the country's territory today.