Go West, Young Man!Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny• Manifest Destiny is a term

for the attitude prevalent during the 19th century period of American expansion that the United States not only could, but was destined to, stretch from coast to coast. This attitude helped fuel western settlement, Native American removal and war with Mexico. The phrase was first employed by John L. O’Sullivan in an article on the annexation of Texas.

The Oregon Trail migration•Known as the Oregon-California Trail, is

one of the most important events in American History.

•The Oregon-California trail was a 2,170 mile route from Missouri to Oregon and California.

• The first emigrants to make the trip were Marcus and Narcissa Whitman who made the trip in 1836.

Going West!• In the early Spring,

emigrant campers would leave Independence, Missouri.

• As their traveling progressed, most realized they had over packed and were forced to lighten their loads by throwing things overboard. Because of the heavy loads, many were forced to walk the 2,170 mile journey instead of ride in the wagon.

Problems going west• Run over by the wagons• Accidental gun shots from

people.• Cholera. • The final third of the trail

was the most difficult and had to be done with expediency.

• Bodies were usually left on the side of the road or buried in shallow graves which allowed animals to dig them up and scatter their bones along the trail

Misconception along the trails• One common

misconception about the travelers journey is that the biggest danger was the Indians or Native Americans.

• The Native Americans were actually friendly more often than not.

• Encounters most often involved simple trades.

Most Notable Massacre• Gratten Massacre.• Cow

Donner Party• In the spring of 1846, a group

of nearly 90 emigrants left Illinois, and headed west.

• Led by brothers Jacob and George Donner, the group attempted to take a new and supposedly shorter route to California.

• They encountered rough terrain and numerous delays, and eventually became trapped by heavy snowfall high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

• Reduced to cannibalism to survive through the winter, only half of the original group reached California the following year.

Texas Revolution

Texas Revolution•The Texas Revolution was a war between

Texas and Mexico. Texas wanted freedom. •The actual war started on October 2, 1835

in Gonzales, Texas. The Battle of Gonzales was the starting battle of the Revolution.

•There were many battles in the war and Texas finally won the war on April 21, 1836 after capturing much of the Mexican army and their leader, Santa Anna.

Remember the Alamo!!• The Alamo began as a Spanish mission

named San Antonio de Valero.• The Alamo has been occupied by Spain,

Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America

• The exact number of Texians (not a typo!) who died at the Alamo is unknown. Numbers range from 150-250.

• It is believed around 600 Mexican soldiers were killed and wounded.

• The battle for the Alamo lasted from February 23–March 6.

• A band of 32 volunteers from Gonzales came to the aid of those already defending the Alamo.

• William B. Travis was the commander of the Alamo

• Jim Bowie and David Crockett were killed defending Alamo

Causes of Texas Revolution•The Settlers were Culturally American,

not Mexican•The Slavery Issue•The abolishment of the 1824 constitution•Chaos in Mexico City•Economic ties with the USA•Manifest Destiny

Effects of the Texas Revolution•One major effect of the Texas revolution

was the independence of Texas although it was annexed into the United States later.

•Increased tension between North and South over slavery

Leading causes of the Mexican War

• Texan Annexation• The Boundary Dispute• The California Question• Monetary Claims against

Mexico

• The United States and Mexico disagreed over the border between the countries.

• Mexico never recognized Texas as a separate territory, and the United States wanted Texas as a U.S. territory.

• In May, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico.

Effects of the Mexican-American War•The first effect of the Mexican-American

War was the territorial gains made by the United States.        

• Internal dispute of slavery in the U.S.•Last effect of the Mexican-American War

involved the former Mexican citizens who lived in the territories ceded by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to the U.S.  

Wilmot Proviso• Created by David Wilmot,

1846• It stated, “as an express

and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any territory from the Republic of Mexico.... neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory”   

Compromises• After further arguments over slavery in the new

territories of New Mexico and California, there were several attempts at compromising.  

• The one that succeeded, however, was the Compromise of 1850, which was originally thought of by Henry Clay.  

• This compromise consisted of four parts. ▫ First, California would be a free state.  ▫Second, the other western territories would vote over

slavery.  ▫Third, slave trade was stopped in Washington D.C. ▫Finally, the Fugitive Slave Act was enacted.  

Conclusion-Benefit vs. Hurt•  Benefit-it gained massive amounts of

territory, which was the equivalent of 66% of the U.S. before the reception of the territory. 

•  Hurt- the aftermath of the war led to the disruptions in Congress and the build up of hatred between the North and South for each had a specific stance when it came to the problem/practice of slavery.