LESSON 13: An Age of Expansion (1820-1848) Flashcards
HIST-1301 (30 cards)
“Young America” Movement
took place between 1830s and 1840s
“Young” patriotic leaders and writers promoting America’s greatness
focus on territorial expansion, economic growth, and intellectual achievement
Journalist John O’Sullivan coined the expression “manifest destiny”, 1845
God wants his chosen people to expand across the continent and become stronger
Mormon Trek
trail that took new religious groups from the 2nd Great Awakening from Nauvoo (IL) to Salt Lake City (Utah);
Joseph Smith was killed; new leader: Brigham Young led out of U.S. towards Salt Lake City, escaping religious retribution;
practiced polygamy; added “Books of Mormon” to Bible
Oregon Trail
led from Independence (MO) to Portland (OR)
Independence of Mexico (from Spain)
1821
Louisiana Purchase
1803
Texas Annexation
1845
Mexican Cessation
1848
Anglos in Texas
Mexico invited Anglos to develop cotton economy in the Northern part of the country (Texas; not very much populated; up to 4,000 acres w/ protection)
Stephen F. Austin received land grant from Mexico (that was initially given to his dad);
he led the first group of Anglo settlers there from the U.S. in 1823;
Anglos became Mexican citizens; promised to learn Spanish and adopt Catholicism;
most did not take Mexican citizenship seriously and remained loyal to the U.S.;
growing tension between Anglo settlers and Mexicans as Anglo population outnumbered Latinos
Mexico Abolished Slavery
1829
Law of April 6, 1830
an attempt by Mexico to stop immigration of Anglos
Anglos’ Demands in Mexico City (After Law of April 6, 1830)
tariff relief (import from the U.S.): agreed upon
lift import ban on slaves: agreed upon
lift immigration ban: agreed upon
self-government for Texas: denied
demands made by Stephen F. Austin;
his mission to Mexican City failed, and he got arrested in 1833 (6 months: house arrest mostly)
Stephen F. Austin has received several more land grants (in East and Central Texas)
General Santa Anna
Mexican President;
dictator;
divided the country into several military districts;
he abolished the federal system and threatened to crush opposition/rebellion
Texas Revolution
Beginning Anglo Uprising: battle of Gonzalez (a city in somewhere between Austin and San Antonio) took place in October 1835;
Anglo militias got into small squirmishes with Mexican soldiers (Anglos overpowered them);
San Antonio was surrendered to Stephen F. Austin in December 1835
Anglos declared Independence of Texas on March 2, 1836
The Alamo Fall
4 days after Texas declared independence , Santa Anna’s army surrounded San Antonio;
Anglos were under command of William Barret Travis (included the Bouie brothers)
Santa Anna led an army to crush the Anglo rebellion;
2nd army led by General Jose de Urrea moved North toward Victoria;
The Fort Alamo fell on March 8, 1836: Santa Anna’s army outnumbered Anglos; stormed the Alamo (more than 200 people inside)
David Crockett was executed at the Alamo
Goliad Massacre
300 Anglos executed on March 20th, 1836
Battle of San Jacinto
April 21, 1836:
Sam Houston surprised and defeated the Mexican army;
captured Santa Anna;
recognized Texas Independence;
had slightly less than 1000;
Santa Anna: around 1,100
in 20 minutes, Santa Anna’s: around 600 killed, 700 captured
Sam Houston
elected first President of the Republic of Texas, 1836;
determined to bring Texas into union but Jackson and Van Buren thought it would escalate the sectional tension (because Texas was a slave state)
The Tyler Presidency
1840
had to claim the office after William Harrison’s death;
Whigs expelled Tyler because he vetoes at their bills; president without a party;
pursued annexation of Texas to get a popular victory, but Senate rejected the treaty because North opposed expansion of slavery, 1844
Reelection of 1844: between the Whigs and Democrats
“Dark Horse” Democrat James K. Polk proposed reannexation of Texas and reoccupation of all Oregon;
Polk won: Congress saw mandate for expansion and annexed Texas, 1845
Fifty-four Forty or Fight
The Oregon Question;
James K. Polk demanded all of Oregon;
Britain prepared for war and proposed division of the territory;
agreement divided the territory along the 49th parallel, 1846
The Mexican War
1846-1848
U.S. won almost every war;
due to increasing tension between U.S. and Mexico after annexation of Texas, 1845
Mexico did not recognize TX claim south of Nueces
John Slidell
was sent by James K. Polk to purchase California, New Mexico, but Mexico refuses to negotiate
General Zachary Taylor
entered disputed territory and moved south to Rio Grande;
Proud Mexico fired first shots and “shed American blood upon American soli”;
after a few weeks, Mexican troops crossed the river and attacked;
12-13 Americans killed; others taken captive
Mexican War Declared
by Congress on May 13, 1846;
Northern Whigs were opposed to war; most in the House voted in favor
