Chapter 13 Western Expansion 1830 1848 Moving Westward

Chapter 13 Western Expansion 1830 - 1848

• Moving Westward – Why? Largely in hope of economic self -betterment – Most went in groups & lacked cash

Fur Trapping • Fur trapping & trade more organized under “rendezvous system” • No longer simply trading with Indians

Annual Fur Rendezvous

Manifest Destiny • Rise of Manifest (“self-evident”) Destiny - 1840 – Harrison advocated westward expansion - Romantic nationalism - Land hunger - Evangelicalism of Second Great Awakening

A Divine Mission • Moving west not just economic process, but a divine plan for North America & the world • Strongest supporters were Christian missionary organizations

1849 - Gold rush to California

Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail

The Oregon Question • Joint US-British occupation despite Monroe Doctrine • Less British interest after fur trade became unprofitable in 1840 s • Many legal disputes until 1846 treaty setting the current border with Canada

Map 12 -3, p. 312

Hispanic Southwest • Cultural impact of Spanish & then Mexican control • California – Spanish mission system - Indians often forced to work - coastal plain became major agricultural area

Texas – The Triumph of Manifest Destiny • Spain & then Mexico encouraged Anglo settlers as buffer between Plains Indians and wealthy silver areas south of Rio Bravo • Most land titles went to non-Hispanics • Disharmony: Texians and Tejanos

• Mexican trade tariffs with US • Mexican ban on importing slaves

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna • 1833 – seized power & suspended Constitution, dismissed Congress • Declared himself “Napoleon of the West” • Planned to exert more Mexican authority over Texas

Battle of Gonzalez

Remember the Alamo

Difficult to defend the Alamo?

Santa Anna Surrenders to Sam Houston

Treaty of Velasco - 1836 u. Recognized independence of Texas u. Rio Grande river as southern border with Mexico

Lone Star Republic • Legalized slavery • Banned free blacks • Elected Sam Houston as first president • Voted for annexation to U. S.

• Texans wanted to be annexed but Congress refused over adding another slave state

25 stars (states) and extra star for Texas 1844 election of Polk

Texas Annexed • Polk won election & Texas annexed in 1845 • Led to war with Mexico & increased debate over number of free and slave states

War with Mexico • Mexico: Treaty of Velasco ending Texas Revolution signed under duress - Against annexation by U. S. - Declared war on United States • Many northerners feared war would expand slavery • INCREASED SECTIONALISM

America: A Narrative History, 10 th Edition Copyright © 2016, W. W. Norton & Company

§ OUR INTERPRETATION OF HISTORY DEPENDS ON OUR OWN BACKGROUND OR POINT OF VIEW § OUR “BIAS” § HOW DID MEXICANS VIEW WAR?

CHAPULTEPEC CASTLE, MEXICO CITY

September 13, 1847 Now, a national holiday in Mexico to celebrate the six military cadets El Dia de los Ninos Heroes

The United States in 1850

Legacy of War with Mexico • Vast acquisition of land did NOT strengthen the country. • Rather, led to fierce debate over the role of slavery in the new territories, leading to Civil War

• 13, 000 Americans died, most from diseases • Deadliest war in U. S. history in terms of percentage of soldiers who died. Of every 1, 000 soldiers, 110 died (over 10%) • Civil War: 65 dead of every 1, 000 soldiers