Westward Expansion and Major Trails (Lecture Notes)

Introduction

• Focus on migration from Eastern US to the West.
• Discuss major overland trails, including the Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, and migration to California and Texas.

Fur Trappers and Traders

• Post-Lewis and Clark: Early arrivals in the West were fur trappers and traders.
• Engaged in trade with Native American tribes as documented by Lewis and Clark.
• Developed early trails, most prominently the Oregon Trail.

Oregon Trail

• Led from St. Louis, Missouri, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon Territory.
• Key figure: John Jacob Astor, German immigrant and founder of the American Fur Company.
• 1811: Overland Astorians discovered a low-lying pass through the Rockies called South Pass.
• South Pass facilitated the efficient migration west via the Oregon Trail.
• 1830s: "Oregon fever" due to Protestant missionary efforts led by figures like Jason Lee attracted many settlers.
• By 1844, 5,000 Americans lived in the Willamette River Valley.

Santa Fe Trail

• New Mexico (part of New Spain until 1821) was a target for fur trade.
• William Becknell, a Missouri fur trapper, blazed the Santa Fe Trail in 1821.
• Discovered Mexican independence opened trade opportunities.
• Pioneered the Cimarron Cut-Off; despite challenges, it succeeded and established profitable trade routes.

California

• Spanish colonization: 21 missions from San Diego to San Francisco.
• Missions engaged in the hide and tallow trade (leather and candles).
• 1830s: Secularization of missions led to land sales to Americans.
• Key figure: Thomas Oliver Larkin advocated for US interest and annexation.
• By 1844, 3,000 Americans settled in California.

Texas

• 1821: Stephen Austin inherited a land grant, leading to significant American settlement.
• Mexico's 1824 colonization law encouraged settlement but raised slavery issues.
• 1835: 25,000 Americans in Texas, leading to tensions over slavery.
• Mexican abolition of slavery in 1828, with Texas initially exempted, created conflict.

Texas Revolution

• 1835-1836: Tensions led to conflict; Santa Anna clamped down on Texans.
• 1836: Texas declared independence, led by Sam Houston.
• Key battles: Alamo and Goliad (not detailed in lecture).
• Treaty of Velasco: Santa Anna recognized Texas independence but never ratified by Mexico.
• 1836: Texas sought US annexation, conditional on slavery acceptance.

Annexation of Texas

• 1844: President John Tyler signed a treaty for annexation, blocked by Whigs.
• 1844 Election: Key candidates were Martin Van Buren and Henry Clay, neither wanted to address Texas directly.
• James K. Polk, Democratic candidate, pushed for expansion and annexation.
• 1845: Joint resolution led to Texas annexation, setting the stage for the Mexican-American War.

Conclusion

• Texas annexation and slavery debate highlighted the tensions leading to the Mexican-American War, to be discussed in the next lecture.