Manifest Destiny and Travelling West Flashcards
What is Manifest Destiny?
It was the 19th century cultural belief that the USA was destined to expand and spread democracy across the world
It was based on 3 assumptions:
- American culture, society and political systems were superior to all others
- The USA had the divine mission to spread the ideas of liberty and democracy to other societies
- If the West was empty and uncivilized, Americans had a right and duty to settle there
How did settlers travel west?
Mostly by wagon trains consisting of 20-40 wagons, often lead by a ‘wagon master’
Made the journey safer by allowing settlers to pool resources or assist each other if they found trouble
Over the journey, wagons would join or leave the wagon train depending on the needs of each settler
What were some hardships settlers faced when travelling west?
The journey west was dangerous and arduous, spanning 2000-2500 miles and taking about 6 months to complete
Since there were no paved roads or sign posts and maps were often incorrect or inaccurate, it was very easy to get lost
Passing through Native American territory meant that heir was a possibility of attack
Rough weather or environment could interfere with the path
Settlers were unable to purchase new supplies and had to rely on what they brought in some areas
Why did people want to settle West?
Large tracts of land available to purchase at low prices attract settlers from eastern states
New immigrants from Europe wanted to escape poverty in their homeland
The California Gold Rush in 1848-1855 attracted 90,000 ‘forty-niners” in 1849 from other parts of the USA and overseas in search of gold
How was the west settled and run?
Territories were directly controlled by the federal government but had an elected legislature to control local affairs
Once the population of a territory reached 100,000, they could apply to become a state
Enabling act passed by Congress authorized territory governments to create a state constitution if Congress votes and approves it
