Manifest Destiny
What is Manifest Destiny?
The belief that it was the destiny of the United States to control and settle the land across the continent, from one ocean to the other. Many believed it was God's will that the U.S. fulfill its' manifest destiny.
Why did Americans travel along the Oregon Trail?
Americans traveled west to bring religious beliefs to Native Americans. Also to find gold in the west.
What caused the Mexican-American War?
The annexation of Texas outraged the Mexicans. They had not accepted Texan independence, much less annexation. They also worried that Americans might encourage rebellions in California and New Mexico as they had in Texas. The Americans also resented Mexico. They were annoyed when Mexico rejected the offer of $30 million to buy California and New Mexico. Many felt that Mexico stood in the way of Manifest Destiny. But in the end a border dispute finally caused the war.
What was the fur trade?
The fur trade was a worldwide industry dealing with the sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of a world fur market, mammalian fur has been the most valued.
What were the main economic reasons for Manifest Destiny?
The main reasons were farmland for the settlers, access to rich resources, and land for the Southern crops such as cotton.
What was life like in the wagons on the trail?
The girls helped their mothers prepare food while the men harnessed the horses and oxen. They traveled with large amounts of gear but crossed rivers and mountains and had to get rid of some supplies to lighten the wagons.
Who won the Mexican-American War?
The United States won the war and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe. The treaty gave the United States the lands that would become California and New Mexico.
About how many people made the journey along the Oregon Trail?
Up to 65,000 people died along the western land and about 1000 people successfully completed the trip.
How did Manifest Destiny positively affect the United States?
The main positive effects on the United States was that the land expanded and many Americans got wealthier due to the gold in California. Also, the culture began to spread more rapidly.
What were some difficulties faced during the different seasons along the trail?
During the spring, travelers often drowned while floating across big rivers. In the summer, people faced excruciating heat and dry weather therefore water was scarce. Lastly in the winter, early snows could block passages through the mountains, there were also extreme temperature drops while traveling.
How did the war positively affect the United States?
As a result of the war, the United States had acquired California and New Mexico. After this, and the Gadsden Purchase, otherwise known as the purchase of present-day Arizona, many americans felt that their dream of Manifest Destiny had been fulfilled.
After Texas won its independence, what two problems did it face?
The population was very spread out which makes travel and communication difficult, also they had a huge debt with very little revenue.
How did Manifest Destiny negatively affect the surrounding lands?
Manifest Destiny had many negative effects that led to things like the Mexican-American War in the 1840's. Many Native Americans lost their due to the expansion of the United States and the new land they were acquiring.
What were some negative things that happened along the trail?
Along the trail, many people died due to Cholera, snake or animal bites, and other diseases that could wipe out a whole wagon train. Because living so closely together diseases could spread quickly. Furthermore, people often lost belongings and other people. While traveling, oxen and horses could die of hunger or wander off during stops.
What was the significance of the Mexican- American War?
With this huge land acquisition, the issue of slavery in the new territories was raised. This lead directly to the Compromise of 1850. This compromise worsened the conflict between the north and the south and eventually contributed greatly to the Civil War.
What disease was known to wipe out entire wagon trains along the Oregon Trail?
Cholera, an infectious and often fatal disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies that causes vomiting and diarrhea, was known to wipe out families during the Oregon Trail journey.
What were the main political reasons for Manifest Destiny?
The main political reasons for Manifest Destiny was the Monroe Doctrine, a policy warning against European colonization in the Western hemisphere. Also, the desire to acquire Oregon from Britain, the desire to acquire Texas from Mexico, and it meant success for the Democrats.
While traveling on the Oregon Trail, did the Americans cross paths with the native? If so, was it a good thing or a bad thing.
The Americans did cross paths with the natives while traveling through the Rockies. It was a good thing because the natives were hungry enough to trade for food and the Americans were low on supplies making it a good trade opportunity.
What was the land gained by the United States from the Mexican American War called and what did it mean to Mexico?
Mexican Cession; it was the loss of an enormous part of the territory that created lasting anger among many Mexican citizens.
People who take the law into their own hands are referred to as what?