Lesson 7: Manifest Destiny in California and Southwest Flashcards
(45 cards)
Brigham Young Definition
Brigham Young (1801–1877) supervised the Mormon migration to Utah beginning in the 1840s. He was the first governor of Utah when it became a U.S. territory.
Cede Definition
to surrender
Chapultepec
the former fort outside of Mexico City; site of an 1847 battle between the United States and Mexico
Forty-niners Definition
people who went to California during the gold rush of 1849
Gadsden Purchase Definition
an agreement between Mexico and the United States that was finalized in 1854. As part of the Gadsden Purchase (or agreement), the United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizona and New Mexico.
James Polk Definition
He was the eleventh President of the United States, serving from 1845–1849. He led the expansion of the United States to the Pacific Coast through the acquisition of the Oregon Territory and the Mexican Cession.
Joseph Smith Definition
the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormons, in New York in 1830. He was killed by a mob in Illinois in 1844.
Junípero Serra Definition
a Spanish friar and missionary who founded a chain of missions in present-day California from 1769–1782.
Manifest Destiny Definition
belief that it was God’s plan for America to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean
Mexican Cession Definition
the region in the southwest United States, including modern-day New Mexico, that Mexico surrendered in the Mexican-American War
Mission Definition
a settlement run by Catholic priests and friars whose goal was to convert Indians to Christianity
Santa Fe Trail Definition
a trade route through North America that connected Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Franklin, Missouri, from the early 1800s until the introduction of the railroad in the region in the late 1800s
Self-sufficient Definition
Ability to rely on oneself for most of what one needs.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Definition
an 1848 treaty in which Mexico gave up California and New Mexico Territory to the United States for $15 million
Vaquero Definition
a Spanish or Mexican cowhand
What were the physical features of New Mexico?
The physical features of this region vary depending on location. Much of this region is hot and dry desert. There are also forested mountains. In some areas, thick grasses grow. Before the Spanish arrived, the Zuñi (ZOON yee) and other Indians farmed here using irrigation, while other Native Americans lived mainly by hunting and gathering.
What did Spanish Explorer Juan de Onate do? What became the capital of New Mexico?
The Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate (ohn YAH tay) claimed the region for Spain in 1598. In the early 1600s, the Spanish built Santa Fe and made it the capital of the territory. By trading horses, fur, and wool, Santa Fe grew into a busy trading town.
When were Americans allowed to settle in New Mexico? What is the Santa Fe Trail?
Some Americans were eager to settle in New Mexico, which was thinly populated but had good physical features, including many natural resources. Spain, however, would not let Americans settle in Santa Fe or anywhere else in the territory. Only after Mexico became independent in 1821 were Americans welcome there. William Becknell, a merchant and adventurer, was the first American to head for Santa Fe. In 1821, he led some traders from Franklin, Missouri, across the plains to the New Mexico town. Other Americans soon followed Becknell’s route, which became known as the Santa Fe Trail.
What was the influence of Captain Gaspar de Portola and Father Junipero Serra? How many mission did Father Serra create in California?
California, too, was ruled first by Spain and then by Mexico. In 1769, Captain Gaspar de Portolá led an expedition up the Pacific coast. With him was Father Junípero Serra (hoo NEE peh roh SEHR rah). Father Serra built his first mission at San Diego. Later he and other missionaries set up a string of 21 missions long the California coast. Each mission complex included a church and the surrounding land. Each became self-sufficient, producing enough for its own needs. Spanish soldiers built forts nearby.
What was Mission life for California Indians_
Before the Spanish arrived, California Indians lived in small, scattered groups. As a result, they had little success resisting the Spanish soldiers who made them work on mission lands. Native Americans were forced to herd sheep and cattle and raise crops for the missions. They were also forced to live at the missions and practice the Roman Catholic faith. Many missionaries were dedicated to converting the Indians to Christianity. However, mission life was harsh. Indians were forced to give up their culture. Families were often separated, and people faced great distress. Thousands of Native Americans died from overwork and disease.
What did the newly independent Mexico do to speed up the growth of California’s economy? What are Vaqueros?
In the 1820s, newly independent Mexico decided that California’s economy was growing too slowly. Hoping to speed up growth, the government took land from the missions and gave it to wealthy individuals. These new landowners set up huge cattle ranches in California.
Native Americans did most of the work on the ranches as well, tending cattle and other animals. A new culture developed on the ranches—the culture of the vaqueros. Vaqueros were the Indian and Mexican cowhands who worked on the ranches. They were excellent riders and ropers, and their traditions strongly influenced later cowhands.
What were reasons for westward movement? How many Americans lived in California in the mid-1840s?
In the mid-1840s, only about 700 people from the United States lived in California. Every year, however, more Americans began moving west. There were many economic, social, and political causes for this westward expansion. On several occasions, the United States government offered to buy California from Mexico. Some officials were eager to gain control of the ports at San Francisco and San Diego. Soon westward expansion became a major priority for the nation.
How did Manifest Destiny contribute to the desire to purchase California? What were negatives of the movemnet?
There was another reason for wanting to purchase California. Many Americans saw their nation and its democratic government as the best in the world.
In the 1840s, a newspaper created the term Manifest Destiny to mean that the United States had the right to spread across the continent. Manifest means clear or obvious. Destiny means something that is fated to happen. The social roots of Manifest Destiny lay in the belief that Americans had the right and the duty of westward expansion to spread their culture across the continent all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Americans who believed in Manifest Destiny thought that westward expansion would also open new opportunities for the United States economy. To many Americans, the fertile farmland and natural resources in the West were prime opportunities for economic growth. Manifest Destiny and westward expansion had some negative effects, however. Many white Americans believed that they were superior to Native Americans and Mexicans. They used this belief to justify taking lands belonging to people whom they considered inferior.
What role did Manifest Destiny play in the election of 1844?
The political roots of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion took hold during the election of 1844. The Whigs nominated the well-known national leader Henry Clay for President. Clay had opposed the annexation of Texas. The Democrats choose James Polk, a little-known candidate from Tennessee who wanted to add Texas and Oregon Country to the Union. On Election Day, Americans showed their support for westward expansion by electing Polk president. He took office in March 1845 on a wave of support for expansion. Acting on his campaign promise, he took steps to gain control of Oregon Country. That move brought the possibility of war with Britain.
