150 likes | 249 Views
Westward Migration. American History. Manifest Destiny. God has given the right for Americans to spread from coast to coast and govern the American continent. Term coined in 1845 by John O’Sullivan
E N D
Westward Migration American History
Manifest Destiny • God has given the right for Americans to spread from coast to coast and govern the American continent. • Term coined in 1845 by John O’Sullivan • Idea that Englishmen and their descendants will control the continent is established much earlier
"shall be as a Citty upon a Hill, the eies of all people are uppon us; soe that if wee shall deale falsely with our god in this worke wee have undertaken and soe cause him to withdrawe his present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a byword through the world" -John Winthrop, 1630
Settling New Lands • Squatters – settling on land they do not own. • Want to buy land directly from the government. • Preemption Act of 1830 – 160 acres for $1.25/acre • Advances in plows and reapers - John Deere -Cyrus McCormick
Breakdown • Mountain men – fur traders blaze trails • Settlers follow these trails (i.e. Oregon Trail) • ‘Overlanders’ with wagon trains • 5 to 6 months – 15 mi./day
“I carry my babe and lead, or rather carry, another through snow, mud, and water, almost to my knees. It is the worst road… [T]here was not one dry thread on one of us… I have not told you half we suffered. I am not adequate to the task.” -quoted in Women’s Diaries of the Westward Journey
Encounters with American Indians • Some hostile, mostly friendly • Feared for their food source (Buffalo) • Treaty of Ft. Laramie [1851] • Defined and secured territory for 8 different tribes • Whites can use Platte River Road undisturbed • Government makes payments
Mormonism • Joseph Smith (b. 1805) • Prophet • Western New York • Translates golden tablets into Book of Mormon • Belief in Bible as well • Oppose slavery • Against alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine use Joseph Smith (1805-1844)
Mormon Tribulations • Seeking freedom to practice their religion • Face violence in future settlements • After Smith’s death, most follow Brigham Young west. [1847 – Mormon Trail > Salt Lake]
Recap • Western settlement continues – ‘Manifest Destiny’ • Most stay east of the Mississippi, some continue on • Government encourages this through Preemption Act of 1830 and the Treaty of Ft. Laramie [1851] • Advances in agricultural tools allow for more efficient farming • Mormons settle west to flee violent attacks