p.2 WHY MOVE WEST?Population growth in the eastern statesCheap, fertile landEconomic opportunity (gold rush, logging, farming, freedom

(for runaway slaves)Cheaper, faster transportation (rivers and canals {Erie

Canal}, steamboats, etc.)Knowledge of overland trails (Oregon & Santa Fe)Belief in Manifest Destiny (idea that expansion was good

and right for the country)

Analyze the “Manifest Destiny” picture and write down five observations.

MANIFEST DESTINYIn the 1840s Americans became preoccupied with

expansionManifest Destiny was the belief that the U.S. would

expand “from sea to shining sea” Americans began to speak of manifest destiny—the belief that the United States was meant to expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Many believed that their movement westward was predestined by God

People moved west in search of economic opportunity. Meanwhile the U.S. government made treaties with

Native Americans that it did not honor.

UNITED STATES EXPANSION BY 1853 - MANIFEST DESTINY

FAMOUS TRAILS WEST No highways existed, thus wagon

trails served as the roads to the West

Santa Fe Trail ran from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Oregon Trail stretched from Independence to Oregon City, Oregon

Mormons especially utilized the Oregon Trail on their way to Salt Lake City

THE UNITED STATES GAINS TEXAS The Mexican government

invited Americans to settle in Texas, which was then a part of Mexico.

Tension grew between the settlers and the Mexican government. In 1836, Texas won its independence.

After nine years as an independent republic, Texas entered the Union in 1845.

MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR 1844 presidential election winner,

James Polk, eagerly wanted to annex Texas as part of the U.S.

Negotiations failed and U.S. troops moved into Mexican territory in 1845

America victories soon followed, and in 1848 Mexican leader Santa Anna conceded defeat

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed – U.S. gets (larger) Texas, New Mexico & California

MEXICAN PRESIDENT SANTA ANNA