Westward Expansion Flashcards
Manifest Destiny
belief that it was “God’s will” for America to control territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson wasn’t sure that he had the constitutional authority to make the purchase but he did it anyways because of the great amount of land, resources, and wealth the purchase could bring to the United States; doubled the size of the country
Louisiana Territory
Doubled the size of the country; included the port of New Orleans which was vital for midwestern farmers to ship out of
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Explored the Louisiana Territory and brought back with them a great knowledge of the territory, weather, wildlife
Indian Removal Act
Removing the Natives to western lands helped American expansion westward.
Trail of Tears
Demonstrated the lengths that the Americans would go to in order to carry out their expansion. Removing the Natives to western lands helped American expansion westward.
Andrew Jackson
Was President when the Indian Removal Act was passed, and for the Trail of Tears as well. Disregarded Judicial Branch and Supreme Court’s ruling in order to see Native Removal enforced.
Election of James K. Polk
Campaigned on a platform of territorial expansion
John O’Sullivan
American columnist and editor who used the term “manifest destiny” in 1845 to promote the annexation of Texas and the Oregon Country to the United States.
Mexican American War
Fought for additional land in state of Texas; eventually gained Mexican Cession for a price as well.
Treaty of 1818
Allowed for joint occupation and settlement of the Oregon Country by America and Britain. Established the northern border of Oregon Country at 54 degrees North
Oregon Treaty (1846)
Land between Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains was Oregon Country. This treaty was between Britain and the U.S. and added the territory to the U.S. Oregon Treaty declared that Oregon would go so far north as the 49th Parallel, and U.S. would take sole possession of this new Oregon Territory.
Texas Independence and Annexation
Texas gained interpendence from Mexico, led by Stephen F. Austin. Wanted to be annexed by the U.S. Once Polk became President, the U.S. annexed Texas Republic.
President Santa Anna
President of Mexico during Texas’ revolt and during the Mexican-American War.
President Sam Houston
1st President of the Republic of Texas. 1st Commander-in-Chief of the Texian Army
Causes of the Mexican American Wa
Mexico had accused the United States of supporting the Texas independence movement in order to add Texas to its territory
United States’ actual annexation of Texas reinforced those suspicions
Many American settlers in another large Mexican territory, California, also wanted to become part of the United States
United States and Mexico also could not agree on the location of Texas’s border
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Officially ended the Mexican-American War
Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the northern border of Mexico
Mexico also agreed to give up Mexican Cession in exchange for $15 million from U.S. and the promise that Mexicans who lived in this region could become U.S. citizens
Mexican Cession
land ceded by Mexico to the U.S. in Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo for $15 million
- includes the modern-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado
Gadsden Purchase
U.S. acquired this land so that it could construct a transcontinental railroad in the South
purchase also aimed to reconcile outstanding border issues between the U.S. and Mexico following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the earlier Mexican–American War of 1846–1848.
Trappers in the West -
Trapping animals and engaging in the business and trade of fur was an attractive option for mountain men and pioneers.
Mountain Men
They were rugged individualists who lived life on their own terms. Many were trappers and fur traders. They also escorted groups traveling to/through the West. Served as navigators.
Missionaries
Sought to expand their religion in the West. Methodist Christians sought to convert Native Americans to their religion.
Brigham Young
Leader of the Mormons. Sought isolation in Utah. Went there to avoid persecution by others.
Mormons
Were being persecuted by others for their religious beliefs. Headed west. Then went to Utah for its isolation away from others.
