domain: the lands belonging to a government and under its control.

fertile: describing soil that easily produces crops.

negotiated: talked over and arranged an agreement.

outpost: place where a small group of soldiers is stationed in order to prevent surprise attacks.

territory: land belonging to a government.

1. Review and discuss the Mexican-American War and the concept of Manifest Destiny.

2. To understand the Mexican-American War and Manifest Destiny it is necessary to review the war between Texas and Mexico. When Mexico received its independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican government permitted Americans to settle in its explored territories that included the land that is now Texas and Colorado. Eventually, the settlers wanted to break away from Mexico. The Texans fought one of the most famous battles in American history to win their freedom from Mexico. This battle was fought at a fort called the Alamo. Although the American settlers lost this battle, "Remember the Alamo" became a battle cry that spurred the Texans to win the war in 1836.

After the war between Texas and Mexico, Texas became a separate nation and remained so for nine years. Many Americans thought that Texas should be a part of the United States. Presidential candidate James Polk believed that the U.S. was destined to stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He termed this expansion Manifest Destiny. Polk won the election in 1844 and Texas became a state in 1845. As president, Polk continued to expand the boundaries of the U.S. He tried to buy the land up to the Rio Grande. Mexico refused the offer insisting that the Rio Grande was inside their country. This led to the Mexican-American War. The United States won this war in 1848 and received parts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

3. Which government previously controlled the San Luis Valley?

Answer: The Mexican government.

1. Which flag do you predict will now fly over the San Luis Valley?

Answer: The American flag.

2. Research the Ute tribe. On a U.S. map, point to the lands where the Ute were located.

Answer: The Utes were a powerful tribe that inhabited much of southern Colorado and eastern and central Utah.

3. Discuss the changes that the railroad brought to the San Luis Valley.

Answer: The railroad expanded farming in the valley by providing farmers a means for transporting crop yields to other parts of the country. It also allowed farmers to visit distant relatives.