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Westward Expansion

Groups going westward and why they went

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Imperialism - again

  • Many pushes led Americans westward, including:
    • Free Land
    • Religious Freedom
    • Gold
    • War (conquest)

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A Soddy (made from sod)

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The Oregon Trail

  • Sought to utilize and populate the area gained in the Louisiana Purchase
  • Increase American presence and encourage settlement
  • 1811-1840 It was passable only on foot or horse (no wagons)
  • Dysentery was real

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Free Land

  • Texas – Stephen Austin got a land grant from Mexico for free settlement (with the following conditions)
    • Had to become Mexican citizens
    • Had to become Catholic
    • Had to give up Slavery

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  • Eventually led to war with Mexico. Texas declares independence, then joins the US
  • Mexico ain’t done with that (US and Mexico go to War next)
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Mexican Cession

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Religious Freedom

  • Joseph Smith – finds golden tablets that became the Book of Mormon. Opposed by many Christian denominations, but thousands of Americans joined
  • Leave NY for Illinois, but Smith is killed by local citizens
  • Brigham Young leads them further Westward to Utah territory and settle in Great Salt Lake Area