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Migrating Westward

Migrating Westward. Chapter 5, Section 1. Settling the Spanish Borderlands. The Spanish North was sparsely populated compared to present-day Mexico due to the threat of Native American tribes.

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Migrating Westward

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  1. Migrating Westward Chapter 5, Section 1

  2. Settling the Spanish Borderlands • The Spanish North was sparsely populated compared to present-day Mexico due to the threat of Native American tribes. • Texas was sparsely populated because it was only needed to act as a buffer zone to the Mexican mines. • In California, the Spanish sought to convert the Native Americans to Christianity for defensive purposes. • Very few Spanish lived there due to its distance from major markets in Mexico.

  3. Americans Look Westward • The revolution of 1821 in Mexico overthrew the Spanish and established Mexico as an independent nation. • Some Americans, known as expansionists, wanted to expand into New Mexico, Texas and California (now Mexico’s) for various reasons. • Viewed Mexico’s government and economy as weak; • Mexicans are inferior do not deserve the land; • Manifest Destiny= belief that God wanted the U.S. to own all of North America.

  4. Trails Westward • Major trails linking to the west soon appeared, albeit for various reasons. • Santa Fe Trail • Started in Independence, MO • Purpose: Trade with Mexico manufactured goods for horses, furs, silver. • Ended: Santa Fe, NM • Mormon Trail • Started in Nauvoo, IL • Purpose: Mormon migration; westward travel • Led by Brigham Young (after the death of Joseph Smith) • Ended: Salt Lake City, UT

  5. Trails Westward (cont’d) • Oregon Trail • Started in Independence, MO • Purpose: westward travel (originally by missionaries); then farmers • Ended: Willamette Valley, OR • California Trail • Branched off Oregon Trail in southern Idaho • Purpose: fur trade– Mountain Men; started by Jedediah Smith • Ended: Sutter’s Fort, CA

  6. The Journey • Journey was ~2,000 miles, took 5 months to complete. • Most people travelled in wagon trains of 50-1,000 people • Difficulties faced: • Left too late really cold winters! • Crossing the Rockies • Lack of food • Disease • Getting lost • Donner Party got lost during the winter; ½ died, the rest resorted to cannibalism

  7. Review Today’s Topics • Why were the territories of Spanish North (California, Texas and New Mexico) sparsely populated? • There was a dispute over the land between the U.S. and Mexico • Travel to Mexican markets took a long time • They were considered a part of the U.S. and not Mexico • The land was not suitable to live on. • Which of the following is NOT a reason why expansionists wanted to acquire new Spain? • Manifest Destiny c) Mexico’s weak government • Mexicans were seen as inferior d) Mexico was willing to give up the land • What is significant about the Donner Party? • They got lost and turned to cannibalism c) They led the Mormons westward • They were the first settlers in California d) They found gold in California

  8. Ticket-Out-the-Door • Ticket-out-the-door: Identify two reasons why American settlers wanted to travel westward.

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