Westward Expansion and Conflict Test Review

Important Dates

• 1803: The Louisiana Purchase occurred
• 1830: The Indian Removal Act was passed
• 1836: Texas declared independence; The Battle of the Alamo took place
• 1845: Texas was annexed by the United States
• 1846-1848: The Mexican-American War occurred
• 1848-1855: The California Gold Rush
• 1850: California became a state

Key Terms

• Louisiana Purchase: Doubled the size of the U.S.
• Manifest Destiny: Belief that the U.S. should expand to the Pacific Ocean
• Homestead Act: Encouraged western settlement by providing free land
• Indian Removal Act of 1830: Forced relocation of Native Americans
• Transcontinental Railroad: Linked the East and West coasts impacting trade and settlement

Key Trails and Reasons for Westward Travel

• Oregon Trail: Settlers sought fertile farmland and a new life
• Mormon Trail: Travelers sought religious freedom and escape from persecution
• Santa Fe Trail: Used primarily for trade with Mexico
• California Trail: Travelers were motivated by gold and economic opportunity

Significant Groups and Contributions

• Chinese Workers: Built the Central Pacific Railroad, faced harsh conditions
• Irish Workers: Built the Union Pacific Railroad
• Mexican Americans: Contributed ranching, mining, and irrigation techniques

Significant Conflicts and Events

• Battle of the Alamo: A Mexican victory
• Battle of San Jacinto: A Texan victory securing Texas independence
• Wounded Knee Massacre: Last major incident between the U.S. Army and Native Americans
• California Gold Rush: Discovery of gold led to rapid settlement
• Dawes Severalty Act: Divided tribal lands into individual plots for Native Americans
• Gadsden Purchase: Added territory to the southwestern United States for railroad construction

Important People and Reformers

• Sarah Winnemucca: Advocated Native American rights
• Helen Hunt Jackson: Advocated fair treatment of Native Americans
• Chief Joseph: Surrendered after attempting to escape to Canada
• President Andrew Jackson: Authorized the Indian Removal Act
• Brigham Young: Led the Mormons west to Utah
• Sam Houston: Commanded Texan forces at the Battle of San Jacinto

Effects of the California Gold Rush

• California became a state in 1850
• Rapid population growth
• Building of the Transcontinental Railroad
• Growth in mining and farming industries

Questions and Answers

• How did the Louisiana Purchase change the United States?

  • It doubled the size of the U.S., expanding westward and giving control of the Mississippi River.

• Name one reason people traveled on each trail:

  • Oregon Trail: To find farmland and better living conditions
  • Mormon Trail: To escape religious persecution
  • Santa Fe Trail: For trade
  • California Trail: To find gold

• List two effects of the transcontinental railroad:

  • Faster and safer travel across the country
  • Increased trade and migration westward

• Name one cause and one effect of the Mexican-American War:

  • Cause: Annexation of Texas and border disputes
  • Effect: U.S. gained large territory including California and the Southwest

Effects of Westward Expansion on Different Groups

• Native Americans

  • Opportunity: Some adapted and traded with settlers
  • Loss: Forced off ancestral lands, culture disrupted

• Oregon Trail Pioneers

  • Opportunity: New land and farming opportunities
  • Loss: Diseases and difficult journeys

• Enslaved People

  • Opportunity: Some escaped to new territories or gained freedom
  • Loss: Expansion of slavery into new areas

• California Gold Miners

  • Opportunity: Chance to strike it rich
  • Loss: Many faced disappointment, high prices, and harsh conditions

• Mexican Americans

  • Opportunity: Some retained land and influenced local culture
  • Loss: Lost land, rights, and status after U.S. acquisition

Explanation

• Purpose of the Indian Removal Act of 1830: To relocate Native American tribes from their lands east of the Mississippi to land west of the Mississippi, making room for white settlers.

• Define Manifest Destiny: The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

• Choose one group and explain their opportunities and losses:

  • Native Americans
    • Opportunity: Some became intermediaries or adapted farming practices
    • Loss: Lost ancestral lands and many lives due to forced relocation