History of the Americas: Nation Building and its Challenges

Indian Removal Act

(1830) a congressional act that authorized the removal of Native Americans who lived east of the Mississippi River

Battle of San Jacinto

(1836) Final battle of the Texas Revolution; resulted in the defeat of the Mexican army and independence for Texas

How long was Texas an independent country?

10 years

Manifest Destiny

1800s belief that Americans had the right to spread across the continent.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. Made by Jefferson, this doubled the size of the US.

Lewis and Clark

1804- 1806 Two explorers sent by the president to explore the Louisiana Purchase, travelled 8000 miles to gather information

Gadsden Purchase

1853 - After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed, 10 million dollars, purchases territory from Mexico to complete transcontinental railway

Who was Toussaint L'Ouverture?

A former slave that led a slave revolt in Haiti that eventually won independence for Haiti

Battle of the Alamo (1836)

A pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the Texan defenders were killed.

Who enacted the Indian Removal Act of 1830?

Andrew Jackson

Argentinian Conquest of the Desert

Argentina decided to expand into Patagonia, killed over 1,000 Mapuche, 15,000 Mapuche were displaced, considered a very controversial conquest

Bloodiest battle of the Mexican American War?

Battle of Buena Vista

Sam Houston

Commander of the Texas army at the battle of San Jacinto; later elected president of the Republic of Texas

what was Zachary Taylor's role in the Mexican American war?

General during the Mexican American war, attacked Mexican army at the battle of Palo Alto, attacked and again defeated Arista at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Taylor relieved Fort Texas and on May 18

What did Toussaint L'Ouverture do?

He led enslaved Africans and other laborers in Saint Dominigue in a revolt against the island's plantation owners. The rebels eventually won, declared the colony an independent republic, and L'Ouverture established a new government. Was a dictator.

Lone Star State

In September 1836, Texans raised a flag with one single star. The nickname of Texas was the Lone Star Republic and it was named an independent nation. Sam Houston was elected president of the Lone Star Republic.

What was the Haitian Revolution?

Led by Toussaint, 21 August 1791 - 1 January 1804, only successful slave led revolution, inspired many latin American revolutions at the time

What is "sea to shining sea"?

Manifest Destiny 1800s belief that Americans had the right to spread across the continent from "sea to shining sea."

Santa Anna

Mexican dictator he lost Texas to rebels, and was the leader of the armed forces during the war, led the battle of the Alamo

Tejas

Name the Spanish explorers gave present-day Texas, means "friend"

Cherokees

One of the major Native American groups part of the Indian removal act, tried to adapt to European lifestyle to coexist.

What are some facts about Andrew Jackson?

Seventh president, killed man in a duel when they insulted his wife, defeated British in 1812, Only president to pay of national debt, first president elected from a state west of the Appalachian mountains

Trail of Tears

The Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their lands. They traveled more than 800 miles to the Indian Territory. More than 4,000 Cherokees died of cold, disease, and lack of food during the 116-day journey.

What was Simon Bolivar's nickname?

The Liberator (the George Washington of South America)

Simon Bolivar

The most important military leader in the struggle for independence in South America. Born in Venezuela, he led military forces there and in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty that ended the Mexican War, granting the U.S. control of Texas, New Mexico, California, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada (half of Mexico) in exchange for $15 million

Winfield Scott

United States general who was a hero of the War of 1812 and who defeated Santa Anna in the Mexican War (1786-1866)

Remember the Alamo

battle cry of revenge for Texan independence from Mexico in 1836

Bear Flag Republic

nickname for California after it declared independence from Mexico in 1846

Westward Expansion

territorial acquisitions as settlers began moving westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains