Chapter 12
Manifest Destiny
To make obvious and Clear!
Traders lead the Way
• Traders went in search for new markets
for profit
• William Becknell leads a wagon train filled
with merchandise over the western plains
over the impassable mountains. This trail
is known as the Santa Fe Trail. Other
follow!
Rivalry in the Northwest
• Oregon Country claimed by Russia,
Britain, USA and Spain
• Adams Onis Treaty settled Spain dispute
• Russia drops the claim
• Leaving USA and Britain
• War again?
Joint Occupation
• 1818: USA and Britain agree to joint
occupation
• Both countries will be allowed to settle
Oregon Country
Mountain Men
• Trappers; tough and independent men
trapping beaver skins
• Beaver Skins are in fashion and in
demand
• Big business!
Rendezvous
• Meeting of trappers to sell and trade
beavers for supplies
• Usually assigned area where rivers would
meet
• Party: Social event of the year swapping
stories
South Pass
• South Pass was a large break through the
rugged Rocky Mountains
• Easier to travel through mountains
• Becomes the main route for travelers West
Oh No, Beaver shortage!
• Over-hunted
• Over-killed
• Fashion styles change and Beaver is no
longer the “thing” in fashion
• How will the trappers make a living now?
Trail Guides
• Led Wagon trains West
• The reports of blue sky, green valleys and
fresh air drew people to adventure to
Oregon Country
Whitman Mission; Settled by Dr. Marcus
and Narcissa Whitman
• First settlers were missionaries; bring
Christianity to the Native Americans
• White settlers brought diseases to Native
Americans killing many
• Native Americans respond by attacking
Whitman Mission and killed them
The Oregon Trail
• 1840’s: Oregon Fever
• The Panic of 1837 affected many by
needing to “start over”
• Tens of Thousand emigrated to Oregon
Territory
Prairie Schooners
• Many began trek in Independence
Missouri. Why?
• Followed the Oregon Trail
• Many towns settled along trail
• Native Americans would trade and help
settlers
Division of Oregon
• 1840-1845 American settlers settled in the
fertile Willamette Valley. 500 to 5000
population in five years
• British population maintained the same
population; 700 settlers
Manifest Destiny to overspread
Manifest Destiny
and to posses the whole of the
continent that Providence has
given us.” quoted by O’Sullivan.
Means that the United States
was clearly destined to extends
its boundaries all the way to the
Pacific!
“
Manifest Destiny
• Show and tell
“Fifty-four Forty or Fight”
• 1844 James Polk Democratic campaign
slogan
Henry Clay again: Whig Party
• He did not take a strong point on expansion
or Manifest Destiny
• Loss again
Problem?
• Britain would not give up claim to Oregon
• War again? Oh no!
Reaching a Settlement
• Britain and USA settle dispute by dividing
boundary at 49th North Latitude line.
• Now we need to take care of the South!!
• Look out below!