California Gold Rush
What was the most common mode of transportation settlers used to make their way to California?
Covered Wagon
Stretching some 1,600 miles and traveling along the same path as the Oregon Trail for the first several hundred miles, this trail led people westward
California Trail
This was the nickname given to gold prospectors who flocked to California after gold was discovered there – many of them arrived in 1849
“Forty-Niners”
During the Texas Revolution, this was the largest and most important settlement in Texas, it’s also the home of the Alamo
San Antonio
This westward trail, which was an important trade route, also played a key role in the Mexican-American War when U.S. forces used it to quickly reach and occupy the New Mexico Territory
Santa Fe Trail
This widely used term describes the belief most Americans held throughout the nineteenth century that the United States was destined to expand American values across the North American continent
Manifest Destiny
This is the name of the city where the biggest population boom in California took place
San Fransico
The California Trail and this other famous westward trail split in what’s now the southwestern portion of the state of Wyoming and the southeastern portion of the state of Idaho
Oregon Trail
This U.S. president first rejected Texas’ request for annexation
Andrew Jackson
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from this European nation
Spain
The U.S. President sent a regiment of American troops into an area of Texas disputed by both the U.S. and Mexico near this major river, with the intent of provoking Mexican forces to attack
Rio Grande River
After making a living in the fur trade industry was no longer viable, men known as these, who often lived in seclusion deep in the wilderness, commonly became guides for one of the many parties of American settlers heading west
Mountain Men
It was in this year that gold was discovered in California
1848
The California, Oregon, and Santa Fe Trails all originated from this Missouri city, nicknamed “Queen City of the Trails”
Independence, Missouri
This president was elected on his promise to expand the west and to annex Texas. He was the 11th President of the United States
James Polk
This famous former Congressman from Tennessee later moved to Texas where he was killed during the Battle of the Alamo
Davy Crockett
This U.S. general was sent to capture Mexico City, he was also the most prominent American general in the U.S. military between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars
General Winfield Scott
Texans famously screamed this phrase in their final few battles of the Mexican-American War
"REMEMBER THE ALAMO"
What were TWO other cultures other than Americans who participated in the Gold Rush?
Mexicans, Germans, Chileans and Chinese are examples
After taking Hastings Cutoff this party of American pioneers and settlers making their way to California got delayed and ended up snowbound in the Sierra Nevada when an early winter storm struck
Donner Party
Shortly after declaring its independence from Mexico, the newly created Republic of Texas government named this individual as Commander-in-Chief of Texas forces and would elect him the first president of the Republic of Texas
Sam Houston
He was the most prominent empressario recruiting thousands of settlers to Texas, earning him the nickname the “Father of Texas”
Stephen F. Austin
This is the name of the peace treaty signed by the U.S. and Mexico which ended the Mexican-American War
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Spanish government, and later the Mexican government, awarded land grants in Texas to individuals known as these
Empressario(s)
What was the biggest result/impact of the California Gold Rush had on the state and area?
Increase in population
Name five items that would be crucial for a party traveling westward
He was elected President of Mexico in 1833, and shortly thereafter overthrew Mexico’s constitution, and would eventually lead Mexican forces against Texas during the Texas Revolution
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (Santa Anna)
This battle, which was a surprise attack on Santa Anna’s forces shortly after the Battle of the Alamo, resulted in the capture of Santa Anna and ended the war between Mexico and Texas
Battle of San Jacinto
Mexico ceded this piece of land which included the territories of California and New Mexico to the U.S. as a result of the Mexican-American War
Mexican Cession
Name three requirements Texas settlers were expected to fulfil from the Mexican government in order to receive their land
1) Learn Spanish
2) Become Mexican citizens/obey the laws of Mexico
3) Become Catholic