The causes of the Manifest Destiny were the need for the wests resources and expansion. The challenges of the Manifest Destiny was the land had Spanish/Mexican settlers and native indians living there and weren't going to give up there land. The geography presented another challenge for the Americans that journeyed westward. The effects of the Mexican American War were the migration of Americans to California, America gained land and deciding on slave and free states divided the U.S.
Connection to today: The Manifest Destiny is similar to pirates because Americans thought it was their destiny to take the land in the west. Pirates take whatever they want from whoever they want.
Manifest Destiny was a doctrine (belief) that west word expansion of the U.S. was a God given right.
Expansionists is a person who favors expanding territory.
Oregon Trail was a trail from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon used by pioneers in the mid1800s.
Alamo is a fort in San Antonio where a battle between Texans and Mexican troops was fought.
Autonomy is independent control over one's own events and activities relating to the government, politics, economy and country.
Forty Niners were miners that went to California after gold was discovered in the land during 1848.
Brigham Young led a party of mormons to their new home in Salt Lake after being forced out of their previous home state.
Stephen Austin led American emigrants to settle east of San Antonio and founded the town of Austin.
Santa Anna was a general for the Mexican military.
Sam Houston was a commander of the Texan army, president of the republic of Texas and U.S. senator of Texas.
Zachary Taylor was a American military general and fought in the Mexican American war.
