Transcript The Mexican-American War

Bell Work
 What
promises did James K. Polk
make to win his election of 1844?
This Day in History:
February 25, 1870- Hiram Rhoades Revels becomes the first
African American congressman when he is sworn in as a
senator.
February 25, 1964- Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) knocks out
Sonny Liston to become the World Heavyweight Champion.
The Mexican-American
War and Gold Rush
California
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California controlled by Mexico before
Mexican-American War.
Population was mostly Mexicans and
Native Americans.
Mexican officials gave Swiss immigrant
John Sutter permission to found a colony
there in 1839.
– Became a popular rest stop for
immigrants.
California Gold Rush

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Gold was discovered at
Sutter’s Mill in January
1848.
About 80,000 gold-seekers
came to California in 1849;
they were called fortyniners.
They would prospect, or
search for gold, along
banks of streams or in
surface mines.
California produced $60
million in gold in 1853.
Miners

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Mining camps sprang up
wherever enough people gathered
to look for gold.
Miners came from many cultures
and backgrounds.
– Most were young, unmarried
men in search of adventure.
– 80% were Americans; the
rest came from around the
world.
– Only 5 percent of gold-rush
immigrants were women or
children.
– Women generally made good
money by cooking meals,
washing clothes, and
operating boardinghouses.

Miners paid high prices for basic
necessities because the huge
amount of gold in circulation
caused severe inflation in
California.
Westward Migration

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Causes
Americans believe in
idea of manifest
destiny
United States acquires
vast new lands in
West
Pathfinders open trials
to new territories
Gold is discovered in
California
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Effects
Native Americans are
forced off lands
Americans travel west
to settle new areas
United States
stretches to Pacific
California experiences
population boom
California
 Population
explosion quickly made
California eligible for statehood.
 Became
 Many
31st state in 1850.
immigrants from around the
world came to California; from 18491853, 24,000 Chinese men came to
the U.S.
Reading Assignment
 Chapter
 Pages
11.3
354-363
Bell Work

What were the three main engagements of
the Texas Revolution?
This Day in History:
February 24, 1836- William Travis calls on Texas troops to come help
the defenders of the Alamo.
February 24, 1803- Marbury v. Madison establishes judicial review.
February 24, 1840- As a member of the House of Representatives,
John Quincy Adams begins to argue for the slaves’ freedom in the
Amistad case.
February 24, 1868- President Andrew Johnson is impeached.
February 24, 1917- The Zimmerman Telegram is given to the United
States.
Assignment
 Read
and Outline Chapter 11.3,
pages 354-363.
 Outline
 Be
as thoroughly as possible.
prepared to answer questions
about the section towards the end of
class.