Samuel F. B. Morse
inventor who improved the telegraph
specialization
raising one or two cash crops that they could sell at home or abroad
market revolution
where people bought and sold goods rather than making them for their own use
capitalism
economic system in which private businesses and individuals control the means of production and use them to earn profits
entrepreneurs
investors that risked their own money in new industries
telegraph
an invention used to carry messages across a copper wire
John Deere
invented the first steel plow
Cyrus McCormick
invented the mechanical reaper, which gave one person the ability to do the work of 5 farm hands
manifest destiny
the Americans belief that the United States' destiny was to expand to the Pacific Ocean and to the borders of Mexico
Treaty of Fort Laramie
provided various Native American nations control of the Central Plains, land east of the Rocky Mountains that stretched roughly from the Arkansas River north to Canada
Santa Fe Trail
one of the busiest trade avenues that stretched 780 miles from MIssouri to New Mexico
Oregon Trail
another very important trade avenue that stretched from Missouri to Oregon
Mormons
a religious community that would play a major role in the settling of the west, practiced polygamy
Joseph Smith
established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brigham Young
Smith's successor who decided to move his followers beyond the boundaries of the United States
Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!
slogan used to relate to the latitude of 54 40' (the northern limit of the Oregon Territory
Stephen F. Austin
led the first several groups of American settlers to a fertile area along the Brazos River
presidios
spanish word for "forts
Tejanos
spanish for "mexican settlers
empresarios
spanish for "agents
land grants
a gift of public land to an individual or organization
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
mexican president in 1833
Texas Revolution
the rebellion in which Texas gained its independence from Mexico
Alamo
an abandoned mission and fort
Sam Houston
leader of a group of Texans who defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto
Republic of Texas
a small nation where American and Mexican settlers fought for their independence
annex
incorporate