Western Expansion - US History

Mountain Men and Missionaries

Men who went out West to trade animal skins with Natives and white settlers.

Examples of Mountain Men

Bridger, Smith, Carson

Brigham Young

Mormon who wanted to create a religious utopia in the West and helped lead the Mormons to the territory, establishing Salt Lake City as a center for the faith.

William Becknell

went on the Santa Fe Trail first in the New Mexico Territory and established trading with the Natives and Mexicans

John C. Fremont

General in the Mexican American War and known for freeing northern California and establishing the Bear Flag Republic.

Stephen Austin

A key figure in the colonization of Texas, known as the "Father of Texas" for leading the first successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States.

Donner Party

A group of American pioneers who set out for California in 1846 but became trapped by snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846-47, leading to severe hardship and cannibalism.

John Stutter

A Swiss immigrant known for his role in the California Gold Rush, particularly for the discovery of gold at his sawmill in 1848, which sparked the Gold Rush.

Sam Houston

A prominent military and political leader in Texas history, he served as the first President of the Republic of Texas and is best known for his victory at the Battle of San Jacinto against Mexican forces.

Antonio Santa Anna

A Mexican general and politician, he played a significant role in the Texas Revolution, famously leading the Mexican army at the Battle of the Alamo and later being captured at San Jacinto. Signed the Treaty of Velasco, which recognized Texas independence. General in the Mexican American War where he also surrendered to America.

Zachary Taylor

He was a career military officer and a national hero from his victories in the Mexican-American War, particularly at the Battle of Buena Vista.  sent to the Texas southern border to defend from a Mexican attack, seen as a political rival of the democrats and removed by President Polk,

Winfield Scott

A U.S. Army general during the Mexican-American War, he is best known for his successful military strategy and leadership in the capture of Mexico City, and Siege of Veracruz. Replacement for Zachary Taylor,

Battle of Gonzales

once they recognized the Texans they joined up with the natives and started rebelling, try to take canon back, come and take it, Mexicans retreated, 

Remember the Alamo/Goliad

6000 Mexicans v. 200 men at the Alamo vowed to defend it with their lives, William Butler give me victory or give me death. Outnumbered,  13th day they stormed the alamo, able to delay the Mexicans enough for San jacinto. Travis, Bowie, Crockett, march 6th all defenders are executed. Colonel James Fannin, surrendered to the Mexicans and became prisoners of war, 300 surrendered texans are executed

Battle of San Jacinto

1. 20 minute battle, Antonio Santa Anna defeated by Sam Houston, remember the alamo, divided his forces, resulting the Texans being able to defeat him, 600 Mexicans dead, 9 Texans, Santa Anna disguised himself as a lesser soldier, Treaty of Velasco - Mexico would give up all rights, after defeat Santa Anna exiled then brought back for the Mexican - American war

Treaty of Fort Laramie

important for the overlanders to move out west, Native Americans of the Great Plains, allow the plains without being attacked by Natives

Election of 1844

Candidates: James K. Polk (Democrat) , Henry Clay (Whig), and James G. Birney (Liberty). Although the front runner, Henry Clay lost to James K. Polk due to his views on western expansion and his plans to acquire Oregon, Texas, and California.

Battle of Buena Vista

stalemate, General Santa Anna v. Zachary Taylor, Zachary had fewer numbers and was able to beat Santa Anna

Bear Flag Republic

created by John C. Fremont, due to a successful rebellion against the Mexicans, was annexed in the US after the Republic folded

Battle of Veracruz

March 9-29, 1847. American victory, General Scott led a siege ( be surrounded  and cut off supplies ) and forced the Mexicans to surrender

Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago

ended the Mexican American war, Mexican ceded the California and new Mexico area and all disputed area and the southern border to Texas was the Rio Grande river. US paid 15 million dollars to Mexicans and pay debts

Manifest Destiny

white mans burden, John Lewis O Sullivan, Americans destined to expand from coast to coast 

Squatters (Preemption Act)

Oregon, moved into the territory and when the government showed up they would be able to buy the land, 1.25 cents per acre

Empresarios

Mexicans gave Moses and Steven Austin to bring in Americans to get land. 

Annex

To be added to the union. Example: Texas

“54 40 or Fight” & 1846 Compromise

49th parallel, James K. Polk’s saying which was about where he wanted to acquire Oregon, the compromise is where Great Britain gave up Oregon to the 49th parallel.  

Envoy

President’s voice in treaties and negotiations. Example John Slidell when he tried to buy New Mexico and California

Siege

to surround and cut off, Battle of Veracruz 

cede

to give up, example: Mexico ceding the California and New Mexico areas to the Americans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Wilmot Proviso

congressional proposal to prohibit the expansion of slavery, because of Mexican and Spanish laws stating that slavery is illegal, why should we now add slavery to lands that have not previously outlawed it

Overlanders v. 49ers

Overlanders - pioneers who went on the trails who went out west because of religious persecution and new opportunities, 49ers - gold miners in search to get wealthy