Westward Expansion
 
As you read the text and view the video segments, complete this sequencing chart by
listing in chronological order events in U.S. westward expansion from 1836 through
1853.
Event Date
Missionaries move
to Oregon Territory.
1830s
"Fify-four Forty, or
Fight"
Oregon Treaty
Texas declares
independence from
Mexico.
(Mexico had gained
independence from
Spain in 1821)
Battle of the Alamo
Battle of San Jacinto
Texas joins the
Union
Discovery Education Techbook
Sequencing Chart
Summary Significance
Missionaries hoped to Their description of
convert the Native the areas' fertile
Americans to Christiantity. lands motivated
more settlers to
move there.
1846 Great Britain agrees to a The United States is now
(Polk) treaty that gives the US a transcontinental
power. US territory
ownership of what is now spans from the Atlantic
Oregon, Washington, Idaho, to the Pacific Ocean.
and parts of Montana.
1836 Texans declare Texas Republic. Santa Anna sends
1. Americans wanted Mexican soldiers to
slaves/Mexico had outlawed
slavery. 2. Santa Anna is a put down the
dictator. 3. Mexico limits more American rebellion.
American immigration.
1836 2,400 Mexican soldiers "Remember the
surprise attack 183 Alamo" motivated
Americans at the Alamo and Texans to defeat the
all the Americans are killed. Mexican army at the
Battle of San Jacinto.
1836 Sam Houston captures Texas becomes a
Santa Anna and forces him Republic, not a state.
Why? Slavery issue &
to sign a treaty recognizing Us does not want war
Texas Independence. with Mexico.
1845 Congress votes to admit Texas becomes the
(Polk) Texas as a state. 28th state, and the
15th slave state.
© Discovery Communications, LLC 1 
  Westward Expansion
 
Event Date Summary
President Polk Fighting breaks out
sends General between Taylor's troops
Taylor into disputed and the Mexican army.
territory (Mexican) 1845 President Polk blames
Mexico for starting a war.
Mexican-American American troops invade
War California (Mexican terr)
1846-1848 and Taylor's troops invade
Mexico and take over
Mexico City.
Gadsden Purchase The United States paid
$10M for a strip of land in
1853 southwest Arizona and
New Mexico.
Discovery Education Techbook © Discovery Communications, LLC
Sequencing Chart
Significance
Congress declares
war against Mexico.
US acquires
California, Nevada,
Utah, and parts of
Arizona, Colorado.
sea.
It was the final piecen of
the contigous United
States. The
transcontinental railroad
was built there.
2