Trails to the West

1. Trails to the West

2. Crossing the Appalachians • More people are moving west in hopes of a better less crowed life • Most people are moving to the region known as Trans-Appalachia • This means across the Appalachians • Various Routes across including the Cumberland Road (the first national road http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:greatvalley-map.jpg

3. Settling the Wilderness • One of the most famous settlers to the area was Daniel Boone • He worked and tried to build a life in Kentucky • The Transylvania Company employed him to help cut the Wilderness road that carried thousands to the west including Boone’s family • In the late 1780’s only a few hundred whites lived West of the Ohio, but by 1830 hundreds of thousands settled into this area. • The new states were • Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio • In addition to white settlers several African American’s moved into these area. An estimated 98, 000 slaves were moved West with their owners, even to areas that slavery was forbidden

4. Forcing the Natives Out • As more whites moved into the Western Territory, there was a larger impact on the Natives • Settlers kept pushing the Natives farther into the new Louisiana Territory • By 1840, most Native Americans had resettled onto reservations West of the Mississippi River • This area became known as Indian Country • Native American Land Transfer Before 1850

5. Expanding to Florida • Americans also swarmed to the South east including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, even into Florida that only 11 years earlier had become part of the United States • The Pinckney Treaty established our control over part of Florida • Stated The Southern Boarder with Spain as 31 latitude (Leaving most of Florida to Spain, The US would be allowed to use the Mississippi through Spanish Territory, and that both countries together would help control natives • By 1820 though so many American’s lived in Western Florida that they declared the regions independence and shortly after it was annexed to the US

6. Expansionists wanted the rest of Florida, including the Eastern Portions • As time marched on Spain was involved with their S. Amer colonies that they were not paying attention to the Seminoles who were being to attack colonists • The US gets involved and sends in Andrew Jackson to help put down the rebellions.

7. The Seminole Wars • In March of 1818 with only 2000 men and quickly put down the Seminole tribe (this becomes known as the first Seminole war) • Within a few weeks, Jackson has possession of the entire western party of Florida. • Remember that Jackson did this without permission so the Spanish are very angry • Secretary of State J.Q. Adams remaindered them that they were in violation of the Pinckney Treaty so Spain had let the issue go • Spanish Rep. Luiz de Onis worked with J.Q. Adams on the Adams-Onis Treaty • Spain will Cede Florida to the US • Firmly set the boundary between L.P. and the Spanish Western Territory • This gave us huge amount of territory in South US

8. Bound for the Pacific

9. The Oregon Country • This is known as the land beyond the Rockies that stretches from Northern Cal to Southern Alaska • A growing number of Fur traders such as Jebediah Smith roamed the area hunting pelts and adopting Indian ways. They were known as Mountain Men • By early 1800 four nations claimed land in the area: US, Russia, Spain, and GB • in 1818 with the Convention of 1818 the US and GB claimed joint ownership • With the Adams-Onis treaty Spain gave up its holdings • Russia followed suite in 1825 • As news of Oregon got back to the people several religious people decided to move out to help convert the natives • Jason Lee in 1834 (Methodist Minister • Narcissa Prentiss Whitman and her Dr. husband were Presbyterian • Hardly anyone had luck with the conversion

10. Overland Travelers • Beginning in 1842 organized wagon trains carrying people to the West began • Known as Oregon trail was 2000 miles long and cut through Rocky Mountains • Very expensive around 500-1000 for a family, exhausting, dangerous, and long (between 4-6 months) • Typical path was to find a pass (a low spot in mountain range) and head west through that pass. Some typical routes were • South Pass( Through Wyoming) or Sante Fe Trail (veered South once through Mountains) • Although movies depict travel West as filled with fighting with the natives, most time whites just traded with Natives • By 1845 more than 5000 American’s had migrated to Oregon

11. Mormon Migration • Joseph Smith (leader of the Mormons) leaves NY to be able to practice faith without being harassed. • Originally moved to Ohio, then Illinois in 1839, then in 1844they begin to experience extreme religious intolerance and move again • They decide to start over and move west • They are led by new leader Brigham Young • Settle in what is present day Salt Lake City • Start huge Mormon settlement • Within 3 years, 11,000 Mormon’s have settled into the area, and by 1860 30,000 lived in Salt Lake City. http://www.salamandersociety.com/interviews/willbagley/

12. The Gold Rush http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sutters_Mill.jpg

13. In Jan of 1848 a Carpenter at a sawmill discovered Gold at his mill in California • John Sutter/Sutter’s Mill • This led to what is known as The Gold Rush • Led to 4000 gold crazed prospectors heading to the property • News of Gold spread to the East and it set off Gold fever and people rushed west • In 1848 Cal had 14,000 residents a year later it was over 100,000 and went to 200,000 by 1852 http://www.ecv1841.com/JAS.html

14. Most were unmarried men (only 5% were women and children) • Also had prospectors from China (laborers and servants) and Europeans • Although a few people made it big, most people lost everything in there bid to come West • Led to numerous Ghost Towns http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Bodie_ghost_town.jpg