Chapter 4: Economic Growth and Westward Expansion 4.2 Manifest Destiny SSUSH7 Students will explain the process of economic growth, its regional and national impact in the first half of the 19 century, and the different responses to it. b. Describe the westward growth of the United States; include the emerging concept of Manifest Destiny.
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Chapter 4: Economic Growth and Westward Expansion
4.2 Manifest Destiny
SSUSH7 Students will explain the process of economic growth, its regional
and national impact in the first half of the 19 century, and the different
responses to it.
b. Describe the westward growth of the United States; include the emerging
concept of Manifest Destiny.
Manifest Destiny Preview
• Have you ever gone on an extended trip?
• What methods of transportation did you take?
• What obstacles did you face?
• Were you limited in the amount of things you could pack to
• take with you?
• If so, how did you decide what you would take?
In this section, you will learn about the problems facing Americans
as they migrated west.
Manifest Destiny (Part I)
Oregon Country & Mountain Men
Manifest Destiny
The belief held by many US leaders that it was God's sovereign will for
the US to expand and possess territory all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
John L. O'Sullivan, the man who
coined the phrase 'Manifest Destiny'
“Many Americans have accepted the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny at face value, seeing their nation’s continental
expansion as inevitable and altruistic, a result of the irresistible force generated by a virtuous people”
Contemporary historian George C. Herring
Mountain Men and Fur Trappers
A mountain man was a trapper and explorer who lived in the wilderness and
most common in the Rocky Mountains from about 1810 through the 1840s.
These solitary fur-trappers lived thousands of miles from civilization. Most
had no home, no money and no possessions, except what they could carry on
their horses. They lived completely off the land and roamed constantly,
covering hundreds of miles each year trapping beaver and selling the furs to
traders.
Fur Trading
Why beaver pelts? The hides could
be made into fashionable waterproof
hats, hats that were quite popular in
place like London, where it rains a
lot. And so the pelts became very
valuable commodities.
Each beaver trap weighed five pounds
and was usually attached to a length of
chain that was used to secure the trap
after it was set.
The “Rendezvous"
Rocky Mountain Rendezvous (in trapper jargon) was an annual gathering
(1825–1840) at various locations held by a fur trading company at which
trappers and mountain men sold their furs and hides and replenished their
supplies. The large fur companies put together teamster driven mule trains
which packed in whiskey, supplies, and women into a pre-announced
location each spring-summer.
Rendezvous vs. St. Louis trader prices:
Item Prices Rendezvous Price St. Louis Prices
Coffee, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .15 cents
Sugar, 1 lb. $ 2.00 .09 cents
Clothing, 1 yd. $ 10.00 .14 cents
Oregon Territory (Oregon, Washington, and Idaho)
The Oregon Territory provided fertile soil, plentiful rainfall, and mild
temperatures all year long.
American migration increased into the Oregon Territory after the War of
1812. However, three other countries also claimed the territory; British,
Spanish and Russians.
Four competing countries claimed
the Oregon territory.
a. United States
b. Great Britain (England)
c. Spain
d. Russia
“Oregon Fever” Americans Head West
Americans moved west for many reasons, including to find religious freedom
and to own their own farms.
The Oregon Trail opened in 1836. It was a long and difficult journey, filled
with many dangers. But for those who were successful were rewarded with
economic opportunity! Caravans began to move across the Great Plains, as
this method offered the best protection from potential Indian attacks, and
also combated the loneliness and other dangers of the journey. People needed
to carry all that they owned inside the wagons
Settlers met and began their westward
travel in Independence, Missouri.
Travel: 2,000-mile journey
Hazards: Rain, snow, and sickness.
Between 1840-1860, about 50,000 settle in the Oregon Territory
Wagon
Diagram
Manifest Destiny (Part II):
Texas Independence
Opening Texas for Settlement
In 1821, Texas came under Mexican control after Mexico won its independence
from Spain. Mexico wanted to get loyal Mexicans to move there, but the vast
northern part of the region was sparsely occupied except for the Comanche (a
native tribe) which frequently sent raiding parties into the region.
Few Tejanos, the Spanish-speaking people of the area, lived in the vast northern
part of the region, but instead had set up settlements in the southern part of the
region.
Texas Territory
They were formidable opponents who developed strategies for using traditional
weapons for fighting on horseback. Warfare was a major part of Comanche life.
Comanche raids into Mexico traditionally took place during the full moon, when
the Comanche could see to ride at night. This led to the term "Comanche Moon",
during which the Comanche raided for horses, captives, and weapons.
Opening Texas to Americans
The Mexican government sought skilled settlers to rehabilitate that land and
finally began to advertise for Europeans and Americans.
Most American emigrants came to Texas under the National Colonization Act, in
which they were able to buy cheap land.
In return, immigrants had to become loyal Mexican citizens, learn to speak
Spanish, live under Mexican law, become Roman Catholics, and not own slaves
since slavery was against the Mexican constitution.
Stephen Austin
Stephen Austin founded the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos and had Mexican
authorization emigrate American settlers to Texas. Stephen Austin was successful
when persuaded about 1,500 American families to settle in Texas and founded the
town of Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Stephen Austin
“The Father of Texas”
Texan Insurrection
At first the Americans agreed to Mexican citizenship, but soon too many
Americans immigrated to Texas Territory and refused to adopt Mexican
customs. Very few thought of Mexico as their country and resented the
Mexican government telling them what to do.
The Mexican government could not control the flood of immigrants. Texas
was becoming more American than Mexican. Anglo-American population
outnumbered Hispanics 10 to 1. In 1830 Mexico closed its borders to
immigration by Americans which angered settlers.
Santa Anna
Santa Anna (Mexican dictator) assumed power over the Mexican government
in 1834 and tightened his control over Texas by sending the Mexican army to
control Texas in 1835.
Austin urged Texans to organize an army because he thought that war with
Mexico was certain to happen.
Santa Anna: Mexican President and military general decided to teach the trespassing Texans a lesson.
Come and Take It (Oct 2, 1835)
The first shots of the Texan Revolution were heard at the military post of
Gonzales about 75 miles east of San Antonio. It began when Mexican soldiers
had arrived on October 2, 1835 to reclaim the cannon that had earlier been
loaned to settlers. They were met with gun fire and a defiant "Come and