Westward Expansion Era

Manifest Destiny
The belief that the U.S. was ______________________ to expand to the
______________________ Ocean
Accomplished through territory _______________________________
Roots
European _______________________ legacy explore, spread religion, expand
____________________
Population Growth U.S. citizens + __________________________________
Cheap Land majority of people are still _____________________
Economic Opportunity West = a fresh start with _________________________ and
________________
Land ____________________status raised political and social status
American Exceptionalism ______________________, education, innovations are an
example for the world
Monroe Doctrine prevented _________________________ nations from colonizing Western
Hemisphere
New transportation and communication connected ________________ back to the
________________
Slavery issue will ____________________ west with each new territory and
___________________
Mormons escape religious _________________________________ and settle in
______________

Mexican War 1846-1848

Causes
James K. _________________ promised _________________________ if elected
Texas is __________________________ in 1845
Mexico ___________________________ the southern border (Rio Grande) and war
begins
Both sides send troops to the region and fighting breaks out
United States wins relatively easily after two years
Effects
Treaty of _________________________________ ______________________________
Ended war - Rio Grande is the southern _____________________ of U.S.
Mexican _________________________
Mexico gives up huge amount of land for $15 million (current SW U.S.)
Many Mexican citizens now living in a different country
Often leads to ______________________________
Economy new _______________________ for goods
Slavery brought up the issue again with new _____________________________

Views on the war

Mexican perspective: U.S. invaded _________________________ soil
 Pro-war US: Mexico invaded U.S. and spilled _____________________________ blood
Anti-war US: war of aggression and _______________________, not defense
Government wants to gain land for the expansion of _______________________
Henry David _________________________: author who refused to pay _________________
supporting the war and went to jail
Example of _________________ __________________________________

California Gold Rush 1849

Gold is first discovered at Sutters Fort in _____________________ California
_______________: thousands rush to California from all over the world to get rich
__________ _________________________ becomes an important economic city
Businesses boom _________________________ the miners
Most miners leave with nothing!
California _______________________________ explodes
Admitted into the _________________ in 1850 as a _____________ state
__________________________ immigrants arrive for economic opportunities
Chinese, Natives, and former Mexican citizens treated _____________________
Mining takes a toll on the ________________________________

Westward Migration
Overland Trails
Santa Fe, Mormon, _____________________, California
Thousands travelled in covered ___________________ and faced numerous dangers
Geographic Features
Great _______________, Rocky Mountains, ________________ Nevada Mountains
(Donner Party)
Transcontinental Railroad
Made possible because of _______________________ Steel Process
Workers: mainly _______________ and Chinese immigrants
_______________________ Purchase: allowed railroad to bypass Rocky Mountains
Promoted western _______________________________
Cities and towns ________________ along the _____________ lines
Negative _________________ on environment: disrupted wildlife and
_________________ features
__________________________ lines follow rail lines, connecting east and west
Pacific Railway Act (1862): authorized ___________________________________ railroad

Impact of Westward Expansion

Lasted throughout the 19th ____________________ (1800s)
Western population grew ____________________________ and factory workers move west
 Westward Expansion Era
Economic Activity ___________________, farming, _____________________, railroad
construction
North: industrial
Attracted immigrants and led to ________________________________
South: remained _____________________________
____________ labor, plantations, ____________ crops (cotton), lack of industry,
________ railroads
West: abundant natural ________________________
Opportunities for mining, ranching, farming
Rapid growth of _____________________________________
(transportation/communication)