C.F.P.

Shanahan History January 9, 2013 Word Count: 958 Wk17d1

Westward From the 1840 onward, America migrated west on the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and many others, led by the idea of Manifest Destiny. The term originated with the editor of The United States Magazine and Democratic Review, being the idea that called for the overspreading of the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions. This idea quickly became popular and many Americans left home in search of prosperity and peace, sometimes a fresh start. James Polk was elected in 1844, his slogan was 54-40 or fight. This slogan referred to the latitude line in Canada at which the U.S. and England had agreed to split up the Oregon territory. Polk didnt really want a war England, in fact, he was willing to compromise at 49 degrees, but with expansionist idea running rampant, he had to find a solution. He convinced Congress that war with Mexico was imminent, and since Congress wouldnt want to fight to wars at the same time, they would agree to the compromise with Britain. Unfortunately for Polk, he only won partially: England agreed for the compromise, but due to his foolhardy bluff, war with Mexico was upon him. The Mexican war began April 25th, 1846, with American dragoons entering Mexican territory. This war showed a vast increase of propaganda, with the Mexicans being demonized and the Americans being glorified. While not intentional, the war soon became an opportunity for the U.S. to gain much of the coveted western lands for expansion. While war raged, a group of people decided to go west; they were the Mormons, also known as Latter Day Saints. A man named Joseph Smith was the founder of the Mormon sect; he claimed to have seen angels bearing golden plates covered with instruction from Heaven. He wrote these so-called revelations in what was called The Book of Mormon, and with this book, drew many people to his falsehood. Joseph Smith led his fellow Mormons in search of religious freedom, to a place in Illinois called Nauvoo. For a while all was well, but when Smith claimed the revelation of Gods order that the Mormons practice polygamy, he was killed by a mob. With his death, the now leaderless Latter Day Saints were thrown into confusion. Brigham Young, stepping forward to take the reins of the unsure Mormons, led them farther west. Young was a good leader, and despite the hardships of the trail, managed to bring them to a plateau overlooking the Great Salt Lake. The actions of Young guarantied freedom of belief for the Mormons for years to come.

While America initially fumbled in its attempts to achieve victory, its army soon gained the experience to bring the war to a conclusion. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo caused peace between America and Mexico, opening many new lands to American settlers, and with the idea of Manifest Destiny only strengthened by the U.S. victories, they flocked westward. In 1848 James Marshal found gold in what was formerly Mexican California at Sutters Mill. This signaled the beginning of the California gold rush: veterans of the Mexican War, shopkeepers, farmers, all flocked west to get their hands on the shining wealth. For some the gold rush led to a classic rags-to-riches story, for others it lead to utter ruin. Despite their failure at obtaining fortunes, many of the gold seekers remained in California, providing a foundation for later settlers.

The Mormons were fairly lucky compared to some of the others who rode the trails west. Bandits, water shortages, phony guides, and Indian attacks plagued the settlers. The Donner party is a prime example of this blend of misfortune. The group was composed of people who were much better off than most others who went west. After falling prey to a bogus guide, they ran out of supplies, even losing their way as the crossed the Great salt Desert. While Indian attacks were a hazard, only a small percentage died from raids; the chief causes of death on the trails were Cholera, starvation, and unreliable transportation. The pioneers faced all these difficulties, and a great many of them overcame the hardships of the trails. Those who did not make it make a mute testimony to the perils by the thousands of small wooden crosses that lined the trails. . A large amount of the settlers did not go west for simply religious freedom or a chance at a fortune; they went west to tame the expanses of Oregon, Texas, Utah, and California. In 1862, President Lincoln enacted the first of the Homestead acts, these laws allowed people to obtain parcels of land very cheaply. The caveat of the Homestead Act was this: the owner had to build a house or farm on the property and live there for a certain amount of time each year for five years. The rich and fertile lands were as equally tantalizing as gold, and often proved to be the wiser investment. In fact, the western plains and fields became in later years one of the largest sources of American wealth. The Midwest is known today as the breadbasket or corn belt of the United States; this area currently produces about 40% of the worlds grain. 1

The settlers that went west had the fortitude required to endure and to adapt. This ability that brought them so far made these early settlers some of the best. The strength and courage that permeated the west became so common place that it even now has a place in modern culture. 1. U.S Department of the interior, BLM. Bibliography: 1. Carroll, Anne W. Christ and the Americas Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1997 2. U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Education_in_BLM/homestead_act.html 2012