Inventions and Innovations
This device was invented by Samuel Morse to send messages over long distances using a series of taps and signals.
Telegraph
This event in 1836, when American settlers fought for independence from Mexico, led to the creation of the "Lone Star Republic."
Texas Revolution
This trail connected Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was primarily used for trade.
Santa Fe Trail
This Mormon leader took over after the death of Joseph Smith and led followers to Utah in 1846.
Brigham Young
This is the term for someone who organizes and takes on the risk of starting a new business.
Entrepreneur
This agricultural tool, invented by Cyrus McCormick, revolutionized farming by allowing one person to harvest crops as efficiently as five people.
This treaty, signed in 1848, ended the Mexican-American War, granting the U.S. territories including California.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This path, taken by pioneers in the 1840s, led from Missouri to the Oregon Territory and was used by many who traveled in Conestoga wagons.
Oregon Trail
This man is known as the Father of Texas for leading successful colonization efforts and bringing families to settle in Texas.
Stephen F. Austin
This term refers to the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent.
Manifest Destiny
This American inventor developed the steel plow, which made farming on tough prairie soil much easier.
John Deere
This treaty, signed in 1851, provided Native American nations control over the central plains of the United States.
Treaty of Fort Laramie
This religious group played a major role in settling the western U.S. and moved to Utah to escape persecution.
Mormons
This man became a national hero during the Texas Revolution and later served as president of the Republic of Texas.
Sam Houston
This is the name of the nation declared by Americans after defeating Mexico in the California region.
Republic of California
This was the primary economic system in the U.S. during the 19th century, based on private ownership and competition.
Capitalism
This 1853 land deal between the U.S. and Mexico helped define the southern border of the U.S.
Gadsden Purchase
This event, occurring in California from 1848 to 1856, saw thousands of people moving west in search of gold.
Gold Rush
This Whig president and Mexican-American War hero was known as "Old Rough and Ready."
Zachary Taylor
This term refers to a region's focus on one or two industries for economic growth.
Specialization
Samuel Morse's code was used to send messages through this material, which was a key part of his telegraph system.
Copper Wire
This 1848 slogan referred to the boundary of the Oregon Territory, claiming land up to the 54°40' latitude.
Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!
This term refers to the place where many Native Americans and settlers interacted but neither group fully dominated, located west of the Mississippi River.
Middle Ground
This Mexican general led forces against Texas during the Texas Revolution.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
This term refers to the boundary proposed by President Polk as the southern border of the United States during the Texas annexation.
Rio Grande River