Manifest Destiny | Period 5: 1844-1877 | AP US History | Khan Academy

Summary

The California Gold Rush of 1848 triggered a massive wave of migration to the West, transforming San Francisco from a small town to a bustling, culturally diverse city. Driven by economic opportunities, such as gold mining and railroad construction, settlers from across the world flocked to the region. Manifest Destiny fueled the belief in the U.S.'s divine mission to expand, though this came at the cost of Native American and Mexican American populations. The migration led to significant racial tensions and violence, culminating in discriminatory laws, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and shaping the future of the United States.

Takeaways

• 😀 San Francisco's population grew dramatically from 1,000 in 1848 to 30,000 by 1850, driven by the California Gold Rush.
• 😀 The discovery of gold in California in January 1848 sparked a global migration, making San Francisco a major cultural hub.
• 😀 The concept of Manifest Destiny, popularized in 1845, justified American expansion to the Pacific coast as a divine mission.
• 😀 Before the Gold Rush, most settlers to the West were farmers, particularly those heading to the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon.
• 😀 The Homestead Act of 1862 offered 160 acres of land to settlers, which led to over 1.5 million people acquiring land in the West.
• 😀 The expansion of the railroad, facilitated by the Pacific Railway Act, helped connect the East and West, significantly reducing travel time.
• 😀 Cultural beliefs of American superiority contributed to the displacement of Native Americans and the marginalization of other minority groups.
• 😀 The transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869, made it easier to transport goods and people across the country in just six days.
• 😀 Westward expansion fueled racial violence, especially against Native Americans and Chinese immigrants, who faced discrimination and hostility.
• 😀 The California Gold Rush led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, marking the first race-based immigration restriction in U.S. history.

Q & A

What was the primary reason for the rapid population growth in San Francisco in the 1850s?

The primary reason for the rapid population growth in San Francisco was the discovery of gold in California in 1848. People from all over the world flooded into the city, turning it into a major gateway to the goldfields.

How did the concept of Manifest Destiny justify American expansion to the West?

Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was the United States' divine mission to expand across North America. Journalists like John O'Sullivan argued that the country had the God-given right to spread its civilization, even at the expense of Native Americans and other cultures in the West.

What were the economic opportunities that attracted people to the West during the 19th century?

Economic opportunities included mining for gold, farming in fertile areas like the Willamette Valley, and supporting industries such as hardware stores, boarding houses, and restaurants. Additionally, the expansion of the railroad created jobs in construction and transportation.

What was the Pacific Railway Act, and how did it impact westward migration?

The Pacific Railway Act, passed in 1862, granted railroad companies over 100 million acres of land to build a transcontinental railroad. This reduced travel time across the country from five months to just six days, facilitating migration and commerce to and from the West.

What was the Homestead Act of 1862, and who was eligible for land grants under it?

The Homestead Act of 1862 granted 160 acres of free land to settlers who had never fought against the U.S. government. Eligible individuals included women, immigrants, and African Americans, as long as they improved the land within five years.

How did the expansion of the railroad contribute to the U.S. economy during the 19th century?

The expansion of the railroad facilitated faster movement of people, goods, and resources across the country, opening new markets, stimulating industry, and boosting the economy by making the West more accessible to settlers and businesses.

What was the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations?

Westward expansion led to the displacement, violence, and forced confinement of Native American populations to reservations. The U.S. Army sought to exterminate or relocate many Native groups as settlers moved westward.

What role did racial discrimination play in the treatment of immigrants in the West?

Racial discrimination, especially against Chinese immigrants, was widespread in the West. Many Chinese workers faced violence, exclusion from mining areas, and high taxes. These discriminatory attitudes eventually led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the first law in U.S. history to restrict immigration based on race.

How did the belief in American superiority contribute to the conflicts during westward migration?

The belief in American superiority fueled a sense of entitlement to the land, often disregarding the rights and existence of Native Americans and other groups. This ideology led to violent conflicts, discriminatory policies, and a general sense of racial and cultural superiority that justified the displacement of indigenous peoples.

What were the political consequences of the westward migration, particularly regarding slavery?

The admission of new states from the West into the Union inflamed tensions over whether they would allow slavery, contributing to the sectional conflict between free and slave states. These tensions were a significant factor leading to the Civil War.