People and Groups who Influenced Western America in the Mid 1800s

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People and Groups who Influenced Western America
in the Mid 1800s
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The following people groups headed West, faced
hardships, and left legacies behind as they
shaped the way our country developed.
The Explorers wanted to make friendly contact
with the Indian groups that might be interested
in trade, AND to find a water route across North
America.
The Mountain Men fur traders who lived rough,
yet adventurous lives.
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The Missionaries several missionaries answered
the request of the Nez Perce Indians for someone
to teach them about the Black Book, or the
Bible.
The Pioneer Women women earned new status for
themselves. They felt a sense of freedom and
equality. Annie Bidwell helped get women in
Wyoming the right to vote 20 years before other
women in the U.S.
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The Mormons members of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led by Brigham
Young. Young claimed Salt Lake City, Utah for
the Mormons.
The Forty-Niners tens of thousands of gold
seekers from around the world joined the
California gold rush.
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The Chinese by 1852, more than 20,000 Chinese
came across the Pacific Ocean to the Gold
Mountain, which is what people in China called
California. They brought with them one of the
worlds oldest and richest cultures.
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The Mexicanos Spanish-speaking people had been
living in the southwestern region of what is now
the U.S. since the 1500s.
Even though most white settlers had little
respect for Mexican Americans, they freely
borrowed much that was useful from them.
Spanish words and Mexican foods, laws,
technology, and architecture became a lasting
part of the Southwest culture.