History FInal - Westward Expansion

Manifest Destiny: The belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Central Plains: Region of grasslands in the middle of North America settled by farmers, ranchers, and Native American tribes.

Treaty of Fort Laramie: 1851 agreement between the U.S. government and Plains tribes that attempted to guarantee tribal lands and safe travel routes.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and gave the U.S. vast western territories.

Santa Fe Trail: Trade route connecting Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Oregon Trail: Major migration route used by settlers traveling to the Pacific Northwest.

Willamette Valley: Fertile valley in Oregon that attracted many settlers traveling the Oregon Trail.

Conestoga Wagon: Large covered wagon used to transport goods and settlers across long distances.

Mormon Trail: Route followed by Mormon settlers from Illinois to present-day Utah.

President Santa Anna: Mexican leader who fought against Texas independence and later led Mexico during the Mexican-American War.

James K. Polk: Eleventh U.S. president who supported Manifest Destiny and oversaw major territorial expansion.

Brigham Young: Mormon leader who guided his followers to the Great Salt Lake region.

Zachary Taylor: U.S. general in the Mexican-American War who later became president.

The Annexation of Texas: 1845 event in which Texas became the 28th state of the United States.

Mexico: Nation south of the United States that controlled Texas and much of the Southwest before the Mexican-American War.

Republic of California: Short-lived independent government established by American settlers during the Bear Flag Revolt.

Sutter’s Mill: Site where gold was discovered in California in 1848, sparking the Gold Rush.

Gold Rush: Mass migration to California after the discovery of gold in 1848.

Tejanos: Texans of Mexican heritage who lived in Texas before and after independence.

Anglos: American settlers of European descent who moved into Texas.

Mexican Government: Government that encouraged settlement in Texas but later imposed restrictions that led to conflict.

Texas Revolution: Conflict in which Texas won independence from Mexico, including the battles of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto.

Treaty of Velasco: Agreement signed after the Texas Revolution in which Santa Anna recognized Texas independence.

Empresarios: Agents who received land grants from Mexico to bring settlers into Texas.

Stephen Austin: Leading empresario known as the "Father of Texas" for bringing American settlers to Texas.

Sam Houston: Commander of the Texan army who defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto and became president of Texas.

Rio Grande: River claimed by Texas as its southern border after independence.

Nueces River: River claimed by Mexico as the southern boundary of Texas, creating a border dispute.

Compromise of 1850: Series of laws that admitted California as a free state and attempted to settle disputes over slavery in new territories.