Chapter 12

Individualism

Self reliant independence

Zebulon Pike

Explore the headwaters of Arkansas River and the Colorado wilderness

Mountain Men

The American fur trappers and explorers who began to explore and move west

Rendezvous

A temporary market where trappers met to trade and socialize

Kit Carson

Fur trapper who helped guide the US Army during the war with Mexico

Jedediah Smith

Explored more of the west than anyone else

Jim Beckwourth

Discovered a pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains

John O’ Sullivan

Magazine editor who came up with the term Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny

The idea that the United States had the right and the obligation to expand its territory across North America to the Pacific Ocean

William Becknell

Opened a route Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe Trail

A 900 mile trade route that began in Independence, Missouri and ended in Santa Fe Trail

Old Spanish Trail

A route that began in Santa Fe and led to the Pacific Coast

Oregon Trail

A trail beginning in Independence, Missouri and leading to the Oregon Territory

Mormon Trail

A trail that the Mormons follow to what became Salt Lake City, Utah

Brigham Young

Leader of the Mormon church to lead his followers to the great salt lake

Continental Divide

The high point in the Rocky Mountains that divides the watersheds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

Wagon Trains

A large group of covered wagons that traveled together across the North American continent as American pioneers moved westward

Tejas

When Texas was apart of Spanish Territory

Presidios

Spanish word for military settlement

Tejanos

Spanish settlers and their descendants

Stephen F. Austin

Moved 300 American families to Texas

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Mexican general who became president of Mexico

Battle of Gonzales

Beginning battle of the Texas War of Independence

Alamo

A mission building where 180 Texans unsuccessfully attempted to hold off a larger Mexican force

Republic of Texas

A separate nation made by Texans

Battle of San Jacinto

Led by Sam Houston, the Texans captured Santa Anna agreed to withdraw and surrender, giving the Texans independence

Sam Houston

President of the Republic of Texas

Lone Star Republic

Nickname of the republic of Texas

James K. Polk

11th President of the United States, 1845–1849. A supporter of Texas joining the United States

Treaties of Velasco

Treaty that give Texas its independence

Rio Grande

River that Texas and the US claimed the southern border of Texas

Nueces River

River that Mexico claimed the southern border of Texas

Zachary Taylor

US Army general who was sent to secure the area of Texas between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande

John Sidell

US diplomats sent to Mexico to offer to buy California and agree to the Rio grande being the southern border of Texas for 25 million

Mexican-American War

War between the United States and Mexico 1846-1848

Stephen Kearny

General who led his troops into Santa Fe, New Mexico. He captured the city without a fight.

Santa Fe

The capital of the New Mexico territory

Manuel Armijo

Mexican governor of the New Mexico territory

Sonoma

Town that the American settlers took over and declared independence from Mexico

Bear Flag Revolt

Name given to the insurrection in California against Mexico

John C. Fremont

Leader of the Republic of California

Winfield Scott

General who led his troops into Mexico

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty that ended the war between the US and Mexico. In exchange for 15 million, Mexico agreed to set Texas border at Rio grande and give up Northern Territory

Wilmot Proviso

Called for slavery to be banned in any territory the US got from Mexico. This measure did not pass.

49th Parallel

Line of latitude that the US and Great Britain agreed would be the northern border of the US in Oregon territory

Gadsden Purchase

An agreement between the US and Mexico. In exchange for 10 million, Mexico with sell land start the United States use for completion of the Southern portion of the transcontinental railroad.