Expanding West
U.S. HISTORY CH 11 TEST REVIEW
Trails to the West
 Moving
west across the
continent brought settlers
many challenges.
 Settlers had to traverse
the Rocky Mountains on
the way west to
California. All trails west
led over the mountains.
Manifest Destiny

“Our manifest destiny is to
overspread the continent…”
referred to the settlement of
Oregon country.

The concept of Manifest Destiny
caused conflicts between the U.S.
and neighboring countries. The
Mexican War began at this time.
Manifest Destiny

The most territorial expansion west
of the Mississippi River in the U.S.
took place during the early 1800s,
beginning with the Louisiana
Purchase in 1803.

An American farmer in 1845 would
support U.S. expansion because of
greater economic opportunities.
Manifest Destiny
The painting, American Progress
by John Gast, demonstrated the
concept of Manifest Destiny by
showing pioneers moving West,
bringing new transportation and
communication technologies.
Mexican War
War began with Mexico
after President James
Polk placed soldiers in a
disputed region along
the Rio Grande River,
which Mexico
considered its territory.
Mexican War
The Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo ended the U.S.
Mexican War. Mexico
ceded a large part of
the American Southwest,
called the Mexican
Cession, to the U.S.
Mexican War
Soon after the war, the
United States annexed
Texas in 1845.
Gadsden Purchase
Many western settlers struggled
with cold and hunger when
crossing the Rocky Mountains.
The Gadsden Purchase was
bought from Mexico so
westward travelers could take a
warmer, southern route to the
west.
Gadsden Purchase
James Gadsden
negotiated the purchase of
the land from Mexico in
hopes of creating a
southern railroad route.
Southwest Settlement
However, the desert and
scrubland environment
hindered major settlement.
Urban areas did not
develop until new
technologies of irrigation
became available.
Settlement and Destiny
Manifest Destiny led to
Conflict between
neighboring nations,
Expansion with addition of
lands, Migration of settlers,
Territory added to the U.S.,
and Annexation of new
states to the U.S.
On to California!
 The
discovery of gold and
mineral deposits in 1848 sent
people from all over the world
rushing to California.
 California
also became known
for its mild, coastal climate and
fertile, productive soil.
On to California!
As a result of the
discovery of gold,
California enjoyed a
population boom that
led to statehood.
On to California!
 Many
Asian immigrants
also arrived in California
and ended up working on
the railroads.
 Many
cities along the
West Coast grew to
become new centers of
U.S. trade.
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