The Santa Fe Trail
This Missouri town served as the official starting point for traders heading southwest on the trail.
What is Independence?
This Father started a chain of missions that eventually stretched from San Diego to Sonoma.
Who was Father Junípero Serra?
This U.S. President was willing to go to war to achieve his goal of "Manifest Destiny."
Who was James K. Polk?
This short-lived independent republic was declared by American settlers in Northern California in 1846.
What was the Bear Flag Republic?
This 1848 treaty officially ended the war between the United States and Mexico.
What is the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
This American trader is credited with being the first to reach Santa Fe in 1821 after Mexico won independence.
Who was William Becknell?
This was the primary goal of the Spanish mission system regarding the Native American population.
What is to convert them to Christianity and Spanish culture?
This was the dollar amount the U.S. offered Mexico for California and New Mexico before the war began.
What was $30 million?
This American general led the uprising of settlers in Northern California.
Who was John C. Frémont?
This is the collective name for the 500,000 square miles of land Mexico gave up to the U.S.
What is the Mexican Cession?
This shorter but more dangerous branch of the trail cut directly through the high plains of Oklahoma.
What is the Cimarron Route?
These were the massive cattle estates created by the Mexican government after they abolished the mission system.
What are ranchos?
Mexico claimed the border was at this river, while the U.S. insisted it was at the Rio Grande.
What is the Nueces River?
President Polk told Congress that "American blood was spilled" on this specific type of soil.
What is American soil?
The U.S. paid this amount of money to Mexico for the land gained in the treaty.
What is $15 million?
Unlike the Spanish government, this newly independent government welcomed American traders to boost their economy.
What is the Mexican government?
This American explorer famously described the California missions as "large farming establishments."
Who was Jedediah Smith?
This General was ordered by Polk to lead U.S. forces into the disputed territory to provoke a response.
Who was Zachary Taylor?
The capture of this capital city in September 1847 effectively ended the military phase of the war.
What is Mexico City?
These three modern-day states were entirely carved out of the land gained from Mexico.
What are California, Nevada, and Utah? (Also Arizona/New Mexico/parts of others)
This mountainous pass was the key landmark on the "Mountain Route" of the Santa Fe Trail in Colorado.
What is Raton Pass?
These wealthy landowners sat at the top of California's social hierarchy during the Mexican era.
Who were the Rancheros?
This diplomat was sent by Polk to Mexico City to strike a deal, but was refused a meeting.
Who was John Slidell?
This General led the daring amphibious landing at Veracruz and the subsequent march to the capital.
Who was Winfield Scott?
The acquisition of this new land immediately re-ignited a heated national debate over this "peculiar institution."
What is slavery?