Manifest Destiny

1. Manifest Destiny Chapter 7 Section 1,2,3

3. Great Plains

4. Manifest Destiny & Western Settlement • 2 reasons for moving west- • “Safety Valve” of Discontent (ease city overpopulation) • Religious Freedom (Mormons—Utah) • Opportunity: cheap or free ownership of land • *Manifest Destiny – belief that God had given the continent to Americans & wanted them to settle westward to the ocean (Louis O’Sullivan) • Squatters – people who settled on government-owned land without buying it. • Preemption Act of 1830 – US government allowed pioneers to buy up to 160 acres of land directly from the government at $1.25/acre • Homestead Act of 1862 – law encouraging settlers to move west. Gain title to up to 160 acres after living on it up to 5 years.

5. John Gast- American Progress

6. Technology Helped Settle the West • Jethro Wood – Iron bladed plow – 1819 • John Deere – sharp steel bladed plow • Cyrus McCormick – mechanical reaper – 1834 • These innovations cut labor in half; agricultural supply increased.

7. Settling The Pacific Coast & Western Migration • Pacific Coast: some settlers moved to the Pacific coast away from the “desert” of the Great Plains. • US, Britain, and Native Americans claimed Oregon • Convention of 1818- US & Britain agree to jointly occupy Oregon. • Santa Fe Trail, California Trail & Oregon Trail • Mountain men (Kit Carson & Jim Bridger) • Overlanders – people traveling west • The Donner Party • 1846 – 87 Overlanders – trapped in Sierra Nevada mountains • 41 died- survivors resorted to cannibalism • Native Americans – mixed reception – some welcomed trade others were concerned & angry • Treaty of Fort Laramie – 1851 • 8 Tribes agreed to boundaries while US promised these territories would forever belong to the Native Americans= began reservation system for Great Plains Indians.

8. The Trails West

9. Hispanic Southwest (7.2) • 1821 Mexican gained independence from Spain • Mexico controlled territory in California, New Mexico, & Texas • Russia- was settling down coast of the Pacific. • John Sutter – • bought 50,000 acres & built Sutter’s Fort • Became entrance point for those entering California • By 1845 more than 200 Americans had settled in California • “Rancheros” (Spanish Dons) had most land & power. • Mestizos – mixed birth Spanish and European • Vaqueros (cowboy) – some “Mestizo’s” worked as cowboys. • Tejanos – Spanish speaking inhabitants

10. Trouble in New Mexico • Part of Mexican territory • Consisted of New Mexico & Arizona • 1820’s Apache & Navajo Indians attacked New Mexico (Mexican Government could not protect the citizens). • 1837- Pueblo people & Hispanic settlers rebelled & killed the Mexican territorial Governor & 16 officials.

11. Americans settle the Mexican Borderlands • Before Mexican independence, Americans were moving into California (John Sutter) • 1821--William Becknell – Santa Fe Trail (trail for trade which linked Santa Fe to Independence, Missouri. • 1845- 700 Americans lived in California Texas • Texas- served as a buffer colony that separated the US from the rest of Mexico. • Tejanos- (2500) lived mostly in San Antonio & Goliad • 1821- National Colonization Act: Mexico gave land to “empresarios” who in turn were to fill the land with settlers. • Stephen Austin (American) –most successful empresario (Washington-on-the-Brazos) • ** Tensions began to develop

12. Texas Becomes “Americanized” • Americans who settled on Mexican territory did not adopt Mexican culture, were not loyal to Mexico, and did not become Catholic. • 1826- Benjamin Edwards rebelled & set up “Fredonia”; claimed Texas was independent. The revolt was put down by Stephen Austin & Mexican troops. 1830- Mexico passed new laws: • No new immigration • No importation of slaves • Tax on goods imported into Mexico ** angered the settlers

13. Texas Goes to War 1832 Convention- settlers met as tensions rose. • Chose Stephen Austin to be their leader at meeting Issued Two requests to Mexico • Reopen Mexico territory to American immigrants • Loosen taxes on imported goods. 1833 Meeting: separate from Mexico, set up constitution, Stephen Austin to negotiate with Mexico.

14. 1834– Stephen Austin arrested by Mexican government (President Antonio Lopez deSanta Anna) • 1835- Austin released & urged Texans to organize an army.

15. Two Sides & Early Battles • The Mexican Army: no sound leadership, training, or support. • The Texans –no military training; settled on Sam Houston to lead them. Battles • (1835) Gonzales (military outpost of Texans)- Texans end up driving Mexican force out of San Antonio. • 1836- Texas officially declared independence from Mexico & drew up a constitution.

16. Battles Feb. 1836- The Battle of the Alamo- Santa Anna’s Mexican force of 6,000 faced 180 Texans barricaded in an old Spanish mission. • Texans in Alamo led by William Travis • Main goal of the Texans—hold out long enough for Sam Houston to build an army. • Held out for 13 days! • March 1836- Mexican forces stormed the Alamo • March 1836- Goliad– Americans surrendered to Mexican forces & were executed. • ** Both the Alamo & Goliad united Texans!!

17. The Republic of Texas April 21, 1836- The Battle of San Jacinto: • Lasted 20 minutes…killing continued for hours. • Sam Houston’s Texans attacked (had the element of surprise) • Defeated Santa Anna & Mexican forces (took Mexican 700 prisoners) • Santa Anna forced to sign a treaty which granted Texas independence. • Mexico refused to accept the treaty!

18. The Republic of Texas Created • Sept. 1836- Republic of Texas had an election; voted Sam Houston President of Texas. • Voted overwhelmingly to be annexed (to become a part of) by the US. • Some Northern members of US Congress—refused to annex Texas (it would create another slave state). • President Jackson- made no move to annex Texas • Jackson only recognized it as independent nation on his last day in office.