The Mexican-American War
Download
Report
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
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
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
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
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
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.