Manifest Destiny/ Mexican American War

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young

Leaders of the Mormons who migrated westward settling in Salt Lake City, Utah

Manifest Destiny

A notion held by Americans that the United States was destined to rule the continent, from the Atlantic the Pacific.

Oregon Trail

Led many many pioneers to the rich fertile farmland on the west coast during the 1840s

Donner Party

group of pioneers who were stranded in the Mountains after taking a short cut getting caught in winter forcing them to become cannibals on the Oregon Trail leading west

Sam Houston

Commander of the Texas army at the battle of San Jacinto; later elected president of the Republic of Texas

General Santa Anna

Mexican dictator who eliminated the Mexican Constitution and tried to crush the Texas rebellion

The Alamo

A Spanish mission converted into a fort, it was besieged by Mexican troops in 1836. The Texas garrison held out for thirteen days, but in the final battle, all of the Texans were killed by the larger Mexican force

James K. Polk

Manifest Destiny president - added Texas & Oregon - wanted the war with Mexico

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Ended the Mexican-American War = granted the US control of Texas & the Mexican Cession (land in the Southwest)

Gadsden Purchase

American bought this from Mexico in 1853 in order to build a railroad linking Texas & California

Gold Rush

Mass migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848

Mexico

won their independence in 1821; originally had control of Texas and the Southwestern US

American farmers

were invited into Texas by Mexico to help control Native Americans and bring wealth to the young country - moved there for cheap land

Slavery

the root cause of the Texas Revolution as American farmers ignored Mexican Law by bringing them

Texas = slave state

Why did the United States not annex Texas for 9 years?

Stephen F. Austin

Founded a colony for Americans in Spanish Texas becoming one of the wealthiest "Anglos" in Texas

Problems between Anglos & Mexicans

The Anglo's spoke English instead of Spanish, tended to be Protestants instead of Catholics, and brought slaves with them which was against Mexico's law