US History (Texas) Ch. 11 Expanding West
Oregon Trail
2000 mile long path along which thousands of Americans journeyed to the Willamette Valley in the 1840's.
Alamo
A Spanish mission converted into a fort, it was besieged by Mexican troops in 1836. The Texas garrison held out for thirteen days, but in the final battle, all of the Texans were killed by the larger Mexican force.
mountain men
American adventurers and fur trappers who spent most of their time in the Rocky Mountains
manifest destiny
Obvious fate, to settle land all the way to the Pacific Ocean in order to spread democracy
Sante Fe Trail
a route from Independence, Missouri to Sante Fe, New Mexico. Used by traders in the early and mid 1800's.
Bear Flag Revolt
A revolt of American settlers in California against Mexican rule. It ignited the Mexican War and ultimately made California a state.
empresarios
Agents who were contracted by the Mexican republic to bring settlers to Texas in the early 1800s
Gadsden Purchase
Agreement w/ Mexico that gave the US parts of present-day New Mexico & Arizona in exchange for $10 million; all but completed the continental expansion envisioned by those who believed in Manifest Destiny.
Battle of San Jacinto
(1836) Final battle of the Texas Revolution; resulted in the defeat of the Mexican army and independence for Texas
Mormons
Church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a religious group that emphasized moderation, saving, hard work, and risk-taking; moved from IL to UT
John Jacob Astor
Created one of the largest fur businesses, the American Fur Company. He bought skins from western fur traders and trappers who became known as mountain men. Astoria was named after him.
Californios
Descendents of Spanish and Mexican conquerors; Spanish speaking inhabitants of California they were culture of Mexico carried to California.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Mexican general who tried to crush the Texas revolt and who lost battles to Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War (1795-1876)
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Mexican priest who established independence movement among American Indians and mestizos in 1810; despite early victories, was captured and executed
John Sutter
Owner of the mill where gold was discovered that helped start the California Gold Rush
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty that ended the Mexican War, granting the U.S. control of Texas, New Mexico, and California in exchange for $15 million
Brigham Young
United States religious leader of the Mormon Church after the assassination of Joseph Smith
Donner party
a group of western travelers who went to California but were stranded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains during winter
Stephen F. Austin
known as the Father of Texas, led the second and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States.
placer mines
mining that uses running water to separate the lighter materials from the heavier minerals
forty-niners
people who went to California during the gold rush of 1849
James K. Polk
president in March 1845. wanted to settle Oregon boundary dispute with Britain. wanted to acquire California. wanted to incorporate Texas into union.
Prospect
search for gold
Vaqueros
skilled riders who herded cattle on ranches in Mexico, California, and the Southwest