Men and the reason they were memorable
The man that explored the Green River
How did Americans get to Oregon country? Why did they want to settle in Oregon country?
The Oregon Trail! They wanted to settle there because there were reports of fertile land!
What were huge Mexican properties called (similar to plantations in the South)
Ranchos
A town that miners overtook as they lived to find gold. Example: Shinbone Peak
What did the United States think held the border between Mexico and America?
The Rio Grande River
Who was Sam Houston?
Raised among the Cherokee, led the Texan army to victory at San Jacinto, U.S. Senator and Governor of Texas
What was the last country to challenge the United States' control of Oregon?
Britain
What were Mexicans living in California called?
Californios
What were vigilantes?
Men that took the law into their own hands in Gold Rush society
How did James K. Polk get Americans to go to war with Mexico?
Polk wanted to provoke Mexico into taking military action first so he could justify going to war. Ordered Gen. Taylor to the disputed borderland between Nueces and Rio Grande rivers to build a fort. Mexican soldiers attacked.
Polk used this as a reason to declare war on Mexico.
Who was William Becknell?
American soldier, politician, and freight operator who opened the Santa Fe Trail in 1821
What did joint occupation mean in Oregon?
People from both Britain and the United States could settle in Oregon country
Who was the Tennessee backwoodsman who lost his life at the Alamo?
Davy Crockett
Who replaced the Bear Flag with that of the United States
John Sloat
Battle of the Alamo, Buena Vista, Battle of Palo Alto
Who was Kit Carson?
Who were the first settlers of Oregon country?
Fur trappers (aka mountain men) and missionaries
What did Frederick Douglass say about the war with Mexico?
He thought it was "disgraceful" and "cruel"
Why did merchants make so much money during the Gold Rush?
Because there were limited options so merchants could charge high prices for necessary items.
Santa Anna (a Mexican general) was captured at what battle?
San Jacinto
Who was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna?
Mexican general that ordered Texans' execution
What was the high point of the year for mountain men?
Rendevous
What were Mexican ranches called
Rancheros
Who led the Mormon migration to the Great Salt Lake area?
Brigham Young
1. Drive Mexican forces out of Texas and secure the border at the Rio Grande River.
2. Seize New Mexico and California.
3. Capture Mexico City, the capital of Mexico.