Westward Expansion Stephen Austin formed a colony on Mexican territory Stephen Austin formed a colony on Mexican territory By 1830, over 20,000 US settlers were in the territory Cultural differences arise: - Anglos spoke English NOT Spanish - Anglos were Protestant, Mexico was Catholic - Southerners were bringing slaves and Mexico had outlawed slavery. *** Rebellions break out; the Texas Revolution begins (1835) Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and William Barrett Travis. In 1836, Santa Anna attacked the Alamo killing all the US defenders including Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and William Barrett Travis. Sam Houston REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Sam Houston led an attack capturing Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. His rally cry:REMEMBER THE ALAMO! Treaty of Velasco Treaty of Velasco granted Texas its independence and Houston was elected President of the Lone Star Republic The South wanted to annex Texas and expand slavery, the North did not James K. Polk was elected in 1844 and pushed for gaining Texas (1845) and war with Mexico in hopes of gaining more land. Mex. Attacks after U.S. annexed the Republic of Texas Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo (1848) ends the war with Mexico who cedes western lands to the US ($15 million) President Polk An agreement with Great Britain Extends boundary to current line with Canada Gadsden Purchase Gadsden Purchase set current borders for the continental US 1849 California GOLD RUSH!! Forty-niners 1849 California GOLD RUSH!! mass migration of all types looking for gold (Forty-niners) 1850 1850 California becomes a state and outlaws slavery MORMONS Brigham Young RELIGIOUS MORMONS flee religious persecution; Brigham Young leads them to Utah (Salt Lake City) HOMESTEAD ACT Govt. Support (1862) HOMESTEAD ACT offers 160 acres free to settle Sooners EX. Oklahoma Land Rush- Sooners about 50,000 participate Morrill Act (1862) Morrill Act grants funding to agricultural & mechanical colleges