Edited by Tony Nassivera 2006(Some slides edited from Susan

Pojer and Carol Jean Cox)

Edited by Tony Nassivera 2006(Some slides edited from Susan

Pojer and Carol Jean Cox)

The actions Americans took during the 19th century established the borders of the 48

contiguous states

By the end of Jefferson’s presidency the United States had more than

doubled in size.

Early Exploration

• In the period following the explorations of Lewis & Clark and Zebulon Pike very few settlers ventured into the west

• Trappers – Fur Traders

• Mountain Men – Jedidiah Smith

• Surveyors – John C. Fremont

Manifest Destiny

"Our manifest destiny (is) to overspread "Our manifest destiny (is) to overspread thethe

continent allotted by Providence for the continent allotted by Providence for the freefree

development of our yearly multiplying development of our yearly multiplying millions."millions."

John O' SullivanJohn O' Sullivan"Democratic Review”"Democratic Review”

18451845Zinn pg. 152

Early settlers of the west traveled along Native American routes, The Santa Fe and Oregon Trails- Wagons became the most popular method of travel; Conestoga and Prairie Schooners

“This is the Place”

• Mormons founded by Joseph Smith in New York• Moved west to avoid persecution• Faced mob-violence and the death of Smith in Illinois• Brigham Young lead them to Utah where they settled

and built Salt Lake City

Joint Occupation of Oregon Territory• Established

boundary at 49 degrees

• 1844 Election Battle Cry – “54’40 or Fight”

• British relinquish all territorial claims

Texas Declares Independence

• 1820s Newly independent Mexico calls for Americans to help settle and stabilize their northern regions

• Stephen F. Austin recruits hundreds of settlers to move to Texas

• 1829 – Mexico attempts to control Texans by forcing Roman Catholicism conversion and outlawing slavery

“Remember the Alamo!”• Santa Anna attempted to enforce Mexican laws• Attacked at Goliad and The Alamo in San

Antonio• Under Leadership of Sam Houston Texans

defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto and forced a treaty granting Texan Independence and the Rio Grande as the border – Lone-Star Republic

• Mexico refused to acknowledge the treaty

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

In 1844, the Democrats were splitThe three nominees for the presidential candidateWere Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionistJames Buchanan, a moderateLewis Cass, a general and expansionistFrom Nashville came a dark horse riding upHe was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

Austere, severe, he held few people dearHis oratory filled his foes with fearThe factions soon agreedHe's just the man we needTo bring about victoryFulfill our Manifest DestinyAnd annex the land the Mexicans commandAnd when the votes were cast the winner wasMister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump!

“JAMES K. POLK”by They Might Be Giants

In four short years he met his every goalHe seized the whole southwest from MexicoMade sure the tariffs fellAnd made the English sell the Oregon TerritoryHe built an independent treasuryHaving done all this he sought no second termBut precious few have mourned the passing ofMister James K. Polk, our eleventh president“Young Hickory,” Napoleon of the Stump!

The War with Mexico

• December 29, 1845 Texas entered the Union

• President Polk argued that a war with Mexico would not only bring in Texas but also New Mexico and California to the Union

• Mexico claimed the Nueces River as the border while the US claimed the Rio Grande River

President Polk attempted to negotiate for the southwest land but Mexico refused

Polk order General Zachary Taylor’s army into the disputed territory.

California• John C. Fremont

entered California and began fighting the Mexicans

• Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and attacked US soldiers

• 1846 – American Settlers declared the independence of the Bear Republic (California)

• Led by Generals Taylor and Winfield Scott, the Americans handily defeat the Mexicans

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Rio Grande as border with Texas; ceded New Mexico and California to US for $15 million

1853 – President Pierce authorized purchase of property south of the

Gila River in order to clear the way for a southern railroad route to the

Pacific – Gadsden Purchase