Before the Gold Rush, much of the of the west was undeveloped land that the United States was yet to settle.
Beginnings of Westward Exploration
-Americans began to explore western territory after the Lousianna Purchase in 1803 -The Lewis and Clark expedition set out in 1804 to discover what the west had to offer, prompting many Americans to go west for reasons including: 1) religious freedom 2) economic opportunity 3) land American Indians:
-Spanish made efforts to militarize California -Used American Indians as slave labor - Natives forced to convert & abandon their culture |
IN 1800...
Map of Native American Tribes-1830
-The "west" was owned by
-Mexico
-France
-Britain
-Consisted of Native American tribes, and few white men
-Native Americans lived freely in nature
-did what they pleased and ruled themselves
-Mexico
-France
-Britain
-Consisted of Native American tribes, and few white men
-Native Americans lived freely in nature
-did what they pleased and ruled themselves
Leading Up to the Gold Rush
TEXAS- 1845
- Texas became "Republic of Texas", free and separate from Mexico
- Annexed to the US after Mexico acknowledged it's cession
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR- 1846
- America went to war with Mexico in 1846, after Mexico's refusal to recognize Texas' annexation and boundaries
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO- 1848
- American President, James K. Polk, negotiated treaty with Mexico to end Mexican-American War
- $15,000,000 compromise in which United States gained NM, CA, and other territories
OREGON
- Native American tribes and other settlers ruled themselves
- Fur Trade
- Did not become a state until 1859
TEXAS- 1845
- Texas became "Republic of Texas", free and separate from Mexico
- Annexed to the US after Mexico acknowledged it's cession
MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR- 1846
- America went to war with Mexico in 1846, after Mexico's refusal to recognize Texas' annexation and boundaries
TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO- 1848
- American President, James K. Polk, negotiated treaty with Mexico to end Mexican-American War
- $15,000,000 compromise in which United States gained NM, CA, and other territories
OREGON
- Native American tribes and other settlers ruled themselves
- Fur Trade
- Did not become a state until 1859