Chapter 9 Terms, People, Key Questions

EAH Honors, 24-25

Causes of Western Migration in 1830s and 1840s

Economic opportunity (cheap, fertile land, later the Gold Rush), Religious Freedom (Mormons seek refuge from persecution), Manifest Destiny (widespread belief that it is Americas divine right to expand across the NA continent)

Challenges of Western Migration in 1830s and 1840s

Long Journeys (takes months to complete, thousands of miles) Disease and Sickness (cholera, dysentery, etc b/c unsanitary conditions), Harsh Weather (heat, dust storms), Geographical Obstacles (vast plains, deserts, mountain ranges), Supply Shortages, Wagon and Equipment Breakdowns, Conflicts with Native Americans.

Settlers / Travelers moving Westward.

Mountain Men (fur trappers/explorers, amongst the first), Mormons, Missionaries (Protestant and some catholic want to convert Native Americans), Families and Traders.

Overland Trails

Oregon Trail (Missouri to Oregon Territory) , California Trail (Branched off of Oregon Trail then went SW to CA), Mormon Trail (From Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah) , Santa Fe Trail (commercial trade route connecting Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Manifest Destiny

A widespread belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It was thought to be a God given, divine right.

Expansionism

A policy of territorial or economic expansion, the drive of the USA to acquire more land.

Expansionism Supporters

Democrats, primarily southern. South sees it to expand slavery, and north just really wants more economic opportunities (and spread democracy).

Expansionism Critics

Northern Whigs, fear new territories will upset balance of power in Congress because they may become slave states.

Texan Settlers in Mexico

American settlement was encouraged to boost population and economy, they were led by Stephen Austin. Settlers had to become Mexican citizens, convert to catholicism, and abide by Mexican laws (including prohibition of slavery).

Sam Houston

Leader / Commander of Texan army during revolution and later first president of the Republic of Texas.

General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna

Mexican general and president who led Mexican forces during the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War

The Alamo

A former mission in San Antonio that became a fortress for Texan defenders during the revolution, in March, 1836, a small force of Texans was besieged by Santa Anna’s much larger Mexican army. All Texans were killed. This fueled Texan courage and sacrifice.

Battle of San Jacinto

April 1836, Sam Houston launched a surprise attack on Santa Anna’s forces near the San Jacinto River. The Texans won a decisive victory, and they captured Santa Anna. This ended the revolution, securing Texan independence.

Republic of Texas (“Lone Star Republic”) and Mexico not honoring the treaty.

The name of the new Texas country/territory. But, Mexico refused to honor the treaty because Santa Anna signed it at gunpoint, and Mexico didn’t support the Texan border being at Rio Grande. Major issue between TX and Mexico = Texas says Rio Grande is its border. Mexico says teh Nueces River is the boundary.

President James K. Polk and his major policies/actions regarding territorial expansion, annexation of TX, slavery, and war.

He was a Democrat, a strong believer in Manifest Destiny, and he wanted territorial expansion (acquire CA and NM). He pushed the annexation of TX quickly after taking office. He wants to maintain balance of power in Congress when in regards to slavery; he never really touched on the subject. He instigated the Mexican American War.

54-40 or Fight!

President James Polk used this as his campaign. It refers to the demand for the entire Oregon Territory, up to the 54 40 parallel, even if it means war with Great Britain.

What compromise did Polk make with Great Britain?

Oregon Treaty was signed, dividing the Oregon Territory at the 49th parallel, extending the boundary between the US and Canada; granting the USA Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

Annexation of Texas

Worsens relations between the USA and Mexico (views it as an act of aggression and a violation of its sovereignty). Mexico refused to recognize this, and saw this as a land grab by the USA.

Mexican-American War - When and why was war declared on Mexico (1846) ?

Polk wants CA and Nm, and so he sent USA troops under General Zachary Taylor to the territory between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande. Polk claims that Mexico had shed American blood upon American soil when Mexico attacked them.

How did Northern Whigs and Southern Democrats view the Mexican - American War?

Northern Whigs generally oppose the war, and they see it as an unjust act of aggression motivated by the desire to expand slavery. Southern Democrats stronger support the war, and they see it as an opportunity to expand slavery, gain new agricultural lands, and fulfill Manifest Destiny.

How did the American People view the Mexican - American War?

Divided; many embrace it has fulfilling Manifest Destiny.

Why did the war - and the possible annexation of more land - concern Northern Whigs?

The potential annexation of vast new territories would lead to intense debates over whether slavery should be permitted in the lands, they fear the new slave states will increase southern power in Congress.

Who fought, how and why did American win, and who led the Americans (Mexican-American War) ?

USA Army/Navy fought against the Mexican Army. America won due to superior military tech, better-trained officers, better logistics and better leadership. Key American generals, like Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, led the Americans.

How did territorial expansion fuel the debate over slavery?

Many were debating on if slavery should be allowed in the new territories, or should they be free? Southerners saw these lands as a way to expand slavery but northerners oppose this as it would tip the balance of power in Congress.

Why did Northerners generally oppose the expansion of slavery in newly acquired lands?

They fear the creation of new slave states will increase the amount of pro-slavery reps / senators in Congress. Northerners worry the expansion of slavery will lead to unfair competition, as free labor (wages) cannot compete with unpaid slave labor, and morality.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (terms)

Signed in 1848, it officially ended the Mexican - American War. Key terms were that Mexico gave vast territories to USA (CA, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, parts of Colorado and Wyoming), USA pay $15 mil to Mexico, USA will assume over $3 million in claims by US citizens against Mexico, and the Rio Grande is officially recognized by the US Mexico border.

Gadsden Purchase of 1853

USA purchased a 29,670-square-mi strip of land in present day southern Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico for $10 million. The land was mainly purchased to facilitate the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad route.

Wilmot Proviso (what it was and how it increased sectionalism)

Proposed by Congressman David Wilmot, it is an amendment to a bill in 1846 that said that slavery would be prohibited in any territory acquired from Mexico as a result of the Mexican-American War. It incrased sectionalism because it showed the disagreements between the North and South, even though it wasn’t signed into law.

California Gold Rush

“Forty-Niners” flocked to Canada (immigrants/Americans) because of the discovery of vast amounts of gold. It was mainly in the Sierra Nevada near California foothills. It caused rapid population growth, economic development, diversity, increased sectional tension, and an impact on Native Americans.

California’s Constitution

It proposed a constitution that prohibited slavery within its borders, and that was highly controversial. It would upset the balance of free and slave states in the U.S. Senate. It was a major catalyst for the Compromise of 1850.