Oregon Country

Oregon Country

Chapter 12 Section 1 - 5

Oregon Fever

• The rumors of a harsh life in the Great Plains led to slow growth.

• Out west the legend of an easy life spread. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana were very popular, but just as difficult as the Great plains.

• Along the pacific coast the land is very fertile.• At the beginning of the 19th century 4 countries have

claims on the area

Convention of 1818

• England, Russia, Spain, and the United States all had claims on the area.

• The Convention of 1818 establishes the 49th parallel as the border between the US and the other competing claims.

Wagons West

• The Oregon Trail is very long and difficult.

The Trail

• Most travelers began in Missouri during the first part of spring.

• Hoping to travel 2000 miles by the first part of October.

• Oregon Trail – Rain, snow, disease, and the worst possible conditions.

Survival

• Trade along the trail was key. Most natives were peaceful and treated the new arrivals well.

• Arrival – From 1840 to 1860 50,000 people move to the area.

• At one time it was only inhabited by fur trappers, but in a short amount of time we were able to make it part of our country.

Texas

• Mexico welcomed Americans after their independence from Spain.

• 1821 Spain had given Moses Austin land in Texas. • He passed away before he could settle the area.• His son Stephen F. Austin led a group of settlers to

Texas.• The Mexicans hoped that the settlers would develop

the area and control the natives.

Mexico and Texas

• By 1830 20,000 Americans had settled in Texas.• The new Texans felt no loyalty to Mexico or the

USA.• 1830 - Mexico forbids new American settlement

in Texas• Outlaws Slavery and must convert to Catholicism.• 1833 Santa Anna comes to power and threatens

to throw out the Americans

Texas Revolts

• Americans and Tejanos (Mexicans living in Texas) felt that it was time to do something.

• Both groups despised Santa Anna.• October 1835 - Gonzales, Texas Americans

and Mexicans clash• December 1835 - Texans take San Antonio.

Independence

• March 1836 Texans declare themselves independent and establish the Republic of Texas - Appointed Sam Houston as the leader of the Army of Texas.

• Santa Anna wants Texas back and plans an attack on San Antonio.

The Alamo

• Most Texans abandon the town the rest retreat to an old mission. The Alamo.

• Mexico - 6,000 Troops Texas - 187• Took Santa Anna 12 Days to take the Alamo.• Total Mexican lost 1500• Total Texans lost 183• William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie

all die at the Alamo.

The Alamo

Battle of San Jacinto

• Sam Houston and his volunteers launch a surprise near the San Jacinto River the battle is quick.

• Santa Anna is captured and signs a treaty granting Texans independence.

• Texas is Free

Lone Star Republic

• Texas draws up a constitution almost identical to the USA’s.

• Elects Sam Houston as President.• Mexico refuses to accept the new country.• Texas is bankrupt.• Most Texans want to be annexed - added on

to the USA.• Not now, but soon.

Manifest Destiny

• God and destiny want the USA to expand to the Pacific Ocean.

• New Mexico Territory - Most of the SW belongs to Mexico (AZ, NM, NV, UT, & CO)

• William Becknell leads a group of settlers from Franklin, MO along the Sante Fe Trail to Sante Fe to trade and live.

California

• Claimed by Spain in the 18th century it is a land of contrasts.

• Central Valley - fertile area surrounded by two Mountain Ranges.

• Northern California - rainy and humid opposite of southern California desert

• Election of 1844 Henry Clay v. James K. Polk - Polk wins because he is pro-Manifest Destiny.

Division over Division

• When we finally annex Texas there is immediately a border dispute.

• Mexico believes the southern border of Texas to be the Nueces River.

• USA believes the southern border of Texas to be the Rio Grande River

• 200 mile difference.

The Mexican War

• In 1836 Americans were skeptical about annexing Texas, By 1844 that had changed.

• 1844 Sam Houston signs a treaty with the USA, our Senate rejects the treaty

• Houston threatens to become an ally of Britain. And allow them into the western half of our country.

Map of Texas

War

• War with Mexico is a mismatch.• Polk send Gen. Zachary Taylor across the

Nueces river to set up camps.• Upon hearing this the Mexicans cross the Rio

and a battle ensues men from both armies are killed.

• The War has begun.

US Victory

• Taylor crosses the Rio Grande and defeats Santa Anna @ Buena Vista

• General Winfield Scott lands at the port of Vera Cruz and destroys the city and marches to Mexico City to take the capital.

• Rebellion in California - John Fremont and Stephen Kearny lead a rebellion in CA against the Mexicans they form the Bear Flag Republic.

Last Puzzle Piece

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo• 1. Mexico agrees to cede (give up) all of CA

and NM territory.• 2. USA Pays 15 million (Polk had previously

offered 30 million for just CA)• Gadsden Purchase• 10 Million dollars for land in NM and AZ.

Oregon

• Polk made a promise in his campaign to retake the Oregon territory.

• He begins discussions with Britain. • An agreement was reached in 1846, the new

border would be 49° N• The following states are formed out of the

territory.• Oregon, Washington, and Idaho

Moving West

• Mormons• Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter Day Saints• Founded by Joseph Smith 1830• Early beliefs– Community Property– Multiple Marriages.

Continued

• Because of their beliefs the Mormons are forced out of several states.

• NY, OH, IL, MO, and NE• 1844 Joseph Smith is killed and Brigham

Young takes the Mormons to the Salt Lake Valley in, Utah.

• The Move is difficult 15,000 people but the move makes the religion and settlement successful Utah becomes a state in 1896.

Gold

• James Marshall finds gold at John Sutter’s mill in California in 1848.

• News spreads and in 1849 80,00 people move to California, called 49ers.

• Turns CA into a gold mining camp almost overnight.

• There is no law and order anywhere most towns and cities rely on Vigilantes - self-appointed law makers and enforcers.