Unit 7: Opening the West

Manifest Destiny

Belief in expanding American land and ideals

Population Growth

Increase in population due to births and immigration

Cheap Land

Affordable land attracting settlers to move west

Native Relocation

Forced movement of Native Americans to the Great American Desert

Buffer Zone

Louisiana acting as a protective area between Euro-Americans and the Spanish

Annexation

Incorporating Texas into the United States

Mexican-American War

Conflict securing southwest territories for the U.S.

Gadsden Purchase

Acquisition of land setting the final U.S.-Mexico border

Indian Territory

Later known as Oklahoma, viewed as poor land for settlement

Famous Explorers

Josiah Gregg, James Albert, and William Peck explored Indian Territory

Methods of Travel

Different modes of transportation for settlers moving west

Station

Stopping point along a trail for rest and relief

Caravan

Group of travelers journeying together

Transcontinental Railroad

Railway spanning the continent from Atlantic to Pacific Oceans

Contract

Agreement for services or work

Trailblazing

Creating new paths through animal trails and old Indian trails

Santa Fe Trail

Trail from Independence, MO to Santa Fe, NM

Cimarron Route

Shorter but drier alternative to the Santa Fe Trail

Texas Road

Route from St. Louis, MO to Santa Fe through Oklahoma and Texas

California Road

Trail from Fort Smith, AK to Santa Fe, NM

Cherokee Trail

Trail through the Cherokee nation to California

Oregon Trail

Northern route for settlers moving west

Prairie Traveler

Guidebook by Capt. Marcy for successful migration

Weapons

Necessary for hunting and protection during travel

Fort Arbuckle

Established by Capt. Marcy to protect immigrants and maintain peace with Indians

Railroad Survey

Surveys to determine the best route for the Transcontinental Railroad

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Legislation dividing and organizing territory north of Oklahoma

Jefferson Davis

Secretary of War supervising railroad surveys

Butterfield Overland Mail

Stagecoach company hauling mail and travelers

Telegraph

Communication system not yet spanning the continent

Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations

Nations maintaining roads and stations for the Butterfield Stage

Toll System

Payment system in the Choctaw territory for maintaining roads

Pony Express

Mail delivery service increasing travel speed

Civil War

Conflict delaying expansion of the Pony Express and stage coach routes