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Explore the narrative of Westward Expansion in 19th-century America, including the concept of Manifest Destiny, Texas annexation, the Mexican-American War, and conflicts with indigenous tribes. Learn about the motivations of emigrants, challenges of farming in the West, urban growth, and clashes with Plains tribes. This period marked a significant shift in American history as the nation expanded across the continent.
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Chapter 13Moving West The American People, 6th ed.
The International Context for American Expansion • In 1815, save for the Louisiana Purchase, Spain held onto most of the trans-Mississippi west. • Spanish holdings eventually encompassed present-day Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, California and more. Mexican independence in 1821 gave the new country all of Spain’s holdings. • North of California was Oregon Territory, disputed between America and England.
Early Interest in the West • Early settlers sought beaver skins as early as 1811 in the Oregon backcountry. • In the Southwest the collapse of the Spanish Empire flooded the region with an assortment of settlers. • A few New Englanders settled in California and exploited the sea-otter trade. • Many Indians relocated from eastern lands to present-day Oklahoma.
Manifest Destiny • Phrase coined in 1845 by John L. O’Sullivan, editor of the Democratic Review. • Expressed conviction that the development of a superior system of government and lifestyle dictated a God-given right of Americans to spread their civilization to the four corners of the continent. • Territorial expansion was a mandate of Manifest Destiny.
Annexing Texas, 1845 • Mexico feared a hostile takeover of Texas after repeated attempt by the United States to buy the territory. • To strengthen border areas, Mexico offered land for reduced costs requiring only that the settlers become Mexican citizens and Catholics. • Stephen Austin and many other contractors organized parties of settlers into Texas. • Few settlers honored their agreement with Mexico. • Texans won their independence from Mexico in 1836 and were annexed by America nine years later.
War with Mexico, 1846 - 1848 • Mexico severed diplomatic ties with America after its annexation of Texas. • President Polk failed to appreciate the humiliation of the Mexicans and sent American troops to forestall a potential invasion. Hostilities quickly followed. • Debate in Washington simmered as U.S. forces swept into Mexico and took the capital city.
California and New Mexico • President Polk communicated that any resolution of the Mexican war would have to include California and New Mexico. • The U.S. government, magnanimously attempted to buy the territories from Mexico to no avail. • Superior American military strength secured the future states in 1847.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848 • The final treaty between America and Mexico in the era • Set the Rio Grande as America’s south border • Increased U.S. territory by 529,000 square miles • Awarded Mexico $15 million and set terms for Gadsden Purchase of southern Arizona and parts of New Mexico for an additional $10 million
The Oregon Question, 1844 - 1846 • Although disputed by both America and England, President Polk claimed settlement of Americans in the territory as a “presumption of possession.” • The British government did not agree but were powerless to stop thousands of settlers migrating to Oregon. • Despite slogans and diatribe, Polk was unwilling to fight and sought a diplomatic resolution to the issue. • England eagerly accepted Vancouver Island in return for dropping her claims to Oregon.
The Emigrants • Most emigrants to the far West were white and American by birth. • Some free blacks also make the six-month overland trip. • Most traveled with family and relatives. • Only during the Gold Rush years did large numbers of unmarried men travel West independently.
Migrants’ Motives • Most emigrants sought wealth in the form of gold and silver. • Other sought to set up businesses as merchants or land speculators. • Some traveled to the warmer climate to restore their health. • Others followed the direction of church leaders for religious or cultural missions.
Farming in the West • New arrivals in the West had to stake a claim and clear the land of obstructions. • As they began their farming, the emigrants unconsciously harmed the land by introducing foreign weeds and poor farming techniques.
Cities in the West • Some emigrants went west for the express purpose of living in a fast-growing city such as San Francisco or Denver. • Young, single men made up an overwhelming majority of these urban centers’ populations. • Opportunities were always greatest for those who brought significant assets with them from the East.
Confronting the Plains Tribes • Americans moving west were continually shocked by the cultural differences between them and the native tribes along the trails. • Problems arose as grazing cattle and indiscriminate buffalo hunting quickly depleted the traditional hunting grounds of the Plains tribes. • A chain of American forts was constructed along the major trails to foil Indian interference.
