Expanding the West

16.1 The Spanish West and Southwest

Life in Northern New Spain

• New Spain is made up of California, New Mexico, and Texas

• Indian and Spanish culture mix: Indians bring corn and beans and adobe for building while the Spanish bring new tools and good such as peaches.

• Missions were the center of life• They had great amounts of land used for farming• Few Spanish lived in California (3,200) because

of the distance from Mexico

Early Texas• The Spanish built missions here to, but they

were spread far apart from each other.• Few Spanish lived in Texas because of the

Apache and Comanche Indians• TEJANOS

• Spanish settlers moved to Texas because of land grants

• The Indians control much of Texas which limits Spanish expansion

Mexico Gains Independence

• 1810, 80,000 Indians and mestizos revolt against Spanish rule

• The rebels hoped to improve their living conditions

• 1821, the rebels defeat the Spanish and a new congress makes Mexico a republic

Changes in California and Texas

• 1833, Mexico ends the use of missions in California

• Lands become huge cattle farms

• In Texas, many of the Tejanos had left due to the war, only 2,500 remained

• More settlers are recruited to protect Texas

Expanding the West

16.2 Texas Gains Independence

American Settlers in Texas• Mexico wants to attract more people

to Texas• Agents received land to entice

people to Texas• Settlers are chosen carefully• STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

• Agent who worked to keep the peace between Mexico and the American settlers

• 1834, 20,000 Americans have moved to Texas and many come from the south

• One man could get 640 acres plus more for his wife and each child

Trouble in Texas

• Mexico sets requirements for all foreign immigrants

• Obey Mexican Law• Become Mexican citizens• Support Roman Catholic Church

• Most Americans could care less! Many came illegally and felt no loyalty to Mexico

• Mexico strictly enforce its laws to control the Americans

• Limits on Americans are set

Trouble in Texas

• Rules against slaves being brought against the Texans

• Stephen F. Austin calls for Texans to rise up and revolt!

Texas Revolution• 1835, Texans form a temporary

government

• They capture the towns of Goliad and San Antonio

• Volunteers pour in to help the cause.

• Some are– Davy Crockett

– Jim Bowie

The Texas Revolution Begins

• THE ALAMO– Old Spanish mission is

used as a fort to stop the Mexican army

• SANTA ANNA– Mexican leader vows to

end the Texan’s revolt

The Texas Revolution Begins• The Alamo has 189 defenders.

• Mexicans have 1,000-5,000 soldiers

• Defenders are slaughtered!

• “REMEMBER THE ALAMO”

The Texas Revolution Begins

• BATTLE OF GOLIAD– Mexico defeats Texas commander James

Fannin and executes him and most of his soldiers

• “Remember Goliad!”

Texas Becomes a Republic

• Texans write a constitution based on the US one except that slavery is legal

• SAM HOUSTON• Leader of the Texas army how knows how to

retreat

• THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO• Santa Anna was confident of victory and

becomes careless• His defenses were poor• His troops were caught resting and were

easily defeated

Texas Becomes a Republic

• Mexico’s army is destroyed and Santa Anna is forced to sign a treaty

• Santa Anna is kicked out of his job and Mexicans do not truly accept the treaty.

Expanding the West

16.3 The Lone Star State

Texas Faces the World

• Sam Houston becomes the president and asks the US to ANNEX or take over

• Andrew Jackson is afraid of the slave issue because it would upset the balance

• The US also did not want to go to war with Mexico over Texas

• The US recognized Texas as an independent country

American Indians and Tejanos

• The Indians are expected to leave their homelands and follow Texas laws or die

• Fighting occurs and most Indians are pushed west

• Tejenos face unfair treatment, lose land and political power even though they had helped the Texans during the revolt.

New Immigrants

• 1836, land grants are offered to American and European settlers

• 1847, 100,000 people have arrived for the free land

• 70,000 slaves live in Texas• Laws prevented free slaves from coming in for

more than two years at a time• Germans made up a large percent of immigrants• Laws were printed in English and German

Struggles of the Republic

• The population was spread out.• Only four towns had more than 1,000

people• They had little cash, were in debt, and

almost went bankrupt• Problems with the army forced it to be

disbanded• Problems with Mexico continued• Peace treaty is finally signed.

Expanding the West

16.4 Oregon and the Far West

Fur Traders• MOUNTAIN MEN

– Fur traders and trappers

• Fur is worth big money in the East and Europe

• The mountain men lived lonely and dangerous lives

• Many of them married Indian brides• RENDEZVOUS

• Gathering that occurred once a year where trappers trade and socialize

• Fur was sold here• Trappers would celebrate and tell stories

• The mountain men were soon replaced by settlers moving west.

Oregon Country• England, Russia, Spain, the Indians, and

the US claimed Oregon

• Treaties are signed by Spain and Russia giving up their claims

• The British have few people there and are soon taken over by American settlers

A New Life out West

• Thousands move west for farmland, forests, rivers, and a good climate

• Land grants get people moving west.

• Married men could get 640 acres

The Oregon Trail

• The Trail stretched 2,000 miles across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains

• It was a 6 month trip• $600 would supply a family of four• Wagon trains used the trail-usually 10 to

several dozen wagons at a time• Food shortages, weather, mountains,

rivers, and Indians were problems• 1/5 of the pioneers were children.

Expanding the West

16.5 California and the Southwest

Going to California• 1830-1840 California was under Mexican rule• Americans still go• THE DONNER PARTY

• Western travelers with bad luck and judgment• They tried a shortcut, got lost, and became trapped by heavy

snow• 42 of the 87 Donner members die from freezing and

starvation

• Mexico did not want Americans in California• Many go to Oregon instead

Other Southwestern Trails• Most trails are trade routes, not for settlers

• THE SANTA FE TRAIL– Mexico allows trading in New Mexico only– This is the main route