US History Chapter 9 Flashcards

Inventions and Economic Changes

• Samuel F.B. Morse invented the telegraph, utilizing Morse code for sending messages quickly over long distances.
• Specialization refers to the agricultural focus on raising specific crops for sale rather than personal consumption.
• The market revolution transformed the economy by promoting the buying and selling of goods over self-production.
• Capitalism is an economic system where private individuals control production to generate profit.
• Entrepreneurs are individuals who organize business ventures and take on associated risks.

Agricultural Innovations

• John Deere developed the steel plow, enhancing efficiency in land preparation for farmers.
• Cyrus McCormick created the mechanical reaper, allowing one farmer to accomplish the work of five.

Expansion and Manifest Destiny

• Manifest Destiny is the belief that U.S. expansion westward was divinely ordained.
• The Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851) was an agreement between the U.S. and Native Americans to define territories.
• The Santa Fe Trail connected Missouri to New Mexico, serving as a trade route.
• The Oregon Trail linked Missouri to the Oregon territory, facilitating westward migration.
• Mormons, founded by Joseph Smith, migrated westward on the Oregon Trail for religious freedom.
• Brigham Young led the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah, seeking a safer community.

U.S.-Mexico Relations

• "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" was a slogan by James Polk advocating for Oregon territory annexation.
• Stephen F. Austin spearheaded the establishment of an American colony in Texas.
• Land grants are public land gifts to individuals or organizations.
• Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was the Mexican president during the Texas Revolution.

Texas Independence

• The Texas Revolution was the conflict for independence from Mexico.
• The Alamo was a pivotal battle site during the Texas Revolution.
• Sam Houston captured Santa Anna and became the first president of the Republic of Texas.
• The Republic of Texas emerged as an independent nation post-revolution.

U.S. Territorial Expansion

• To annex means to attach or take possession of new territories.
• James K. Polk, the 11th president, sought war with Mexico to expand U.S. territory.
• Zachary Taylor, the 12th president and a military general, played a key role in the Mexican War.
• Stephen Kearney was an American general who took control of California during the conflict.

Conflict Outcomes

• The Republic of California was declared by American settlers after defeating Mexican forces.
• Winfield Scott captured Mexico City, the Mexican capital, during the war.
• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) marked the official end of the war and territorial disputes.
• The Gadsden Purchase (1853) involved the U.S. buying additional land from Mexico to finalize the border.

Gold Rush Era

• Forty-niners were individuals who traveled to California in search of gold during the gold rush.
• The gold rush denotes the large-scale movement of people towards areas where gold was discovered.