Unit 5: Westward Migration

Manifest Destiny

The widely held belief that Americans had the right granted by God for westward expansion and were destined to conquer from the Atlantic the Pacific.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. Made by Jefferson, this doubled the size of the US.

Mexican Cession

Lands sold by Mexico to the US following the Mexican War

Oregon Trail

The route from Missouri to Oregon that was used by many pioneers during the 1840's.

California Gold Rush

Mass migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848

Native Reservations

the locations where Native Americans were forced to live after they were kicked our of their homelands. Living conditions were usually very poor, without clean water or fertile soil.

Sacagewea

Shoshone Indian woman that helped Lewis and Clark on their expedition.

Indian Removal Act

law passed in 1830 that forced many Native American nations to move west of the Mississippi River.

Canals

an artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation.

Steam powered ships

first made in the 1820's sped water transportation and eliminated the need for wind powered ships

telegraph

A device for rapid, long-distance transmission of information over an electric wire. It was introduced in England and North America in the 1830s and 1840s

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad connecting the west and east coasts of the continental US

bison

buffalo- important natural resource for Native Americans in the West.

Dawes Act of 1887

allowed the federal government to break up native lands in order to civilize the Indians.

Homestead Act of 1862

this allowed a settler to acquire 160 acres by living on it for five years, improving it and paying approximately $30

Trail of Tears (1838)

The route taken by Cherokee Native Americans as they were relocated to Oklahoma; 20-25% perished before reaching Oklahoma

The Gadsden Purchase of 1853

US buys land from Mexico for 10 million to build a railroad

push factors

a factor that causes people to leave their homelands and migrate to another region

pull factors

A factor that draws or attracts people to another location

Lewis and Clark

Sent on an expedition by Jefferson to gather information on the United States' new land and map a route to the Pacific. They kept very careful maps and records of this new land acquired from the Louisiana Purchase.

reservation

land set aside by the United States government for Native Americans

Oregon Country

Under "joint occupation" by US & Britain; increased immigration & interest; missionaries failed to convert residing natives

Morse Code/Telegraph

Allowed for communication over long distance in a short period of time

Compromise of 1850

Agreement of 5 bills in congress designed to ease tensions caused by the expansion of slavery into western territories- California admitted as free state but strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act.

The Mormon Trail

A route used by Mormons migrating to Utah in search of religious freedom, marked by significant settlements and communities.