How and why the United States became a continental nation through the Westward Expansion.
April 23, 2019, Makenna Ing, Period 6
What was the Westward Expansion? How and why did the United States become a continental nation through the Westward Expansion? The Westward Expansion was the start of people on the east side, go west. There were many purposes for many people living east to go west. For example, the Louisiana Purchase, Manifest Destiny, and the California Gold Rush, being one of the biggest reasons for many people living east to come down west. Throughout the Westward Expansion, the United States also became a continental nation.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson, purchased the Louisiana territory from the French government for $15 million. The purchase was known as the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was the start of the United States becoming a continental nation.
In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was signed by President Andrew Jackson, and treaties were made to the different Native Americans/Indians to leave their lands and to go west of the Mississippi River because the land would be used for the farmers. This was part of people
leaving to the west.
In 1811-1840, the Oregon Trail was made and the start of thousands people going west. The Oregon Trail was dangerous though because of a disease called cholera and heavy wagons over mountains. The purpose of the Oregon Trail was for fur trades and to claim land in Willamette Valley, Oregon.
In 1845, the United States believed that God wanted them to go west and that caused many settlers to go west. This was called Manifest Destiny. The purpose of going west was also to spread democracy and capitalism.
On January 24, 1848, gold in California was discovered. News spread about the gold and people everywhere came to California to get gold.
In 1846 to February 2, 1848, was the start and end of the Mexican American War. The Mexican American War was because President James Polk wanted more land that the Mexicans and American went to war. On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and the United States got Texas, California, and the rest of the territory west of Rio Grande.
In 1862, the Homestead Act was made and that caused many people to also come west for the purpose of land. People came to the land Oklahoma.
The Westward Expansion was the movement of people from the east going west. Through the Westward Expansion, the United States became a continental nation because of the expansion of land when moving west. The expansion of land moving west was from the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican American War.
The Westward Expansion was the movement of people from the east going west. Through the Westward Expansion, the United States became a continental nation because of the expansion of land when moving west. The expansion of land moving west was from the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican American War.
Bibliography
“A Continental Nation.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Westward Movement.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 July 2016
“California Gold Rush.” HistoryNet
Editors, History.com. “California Gold Rush.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 6 Apr. 2010
Editors, History.com. “Manifest Destiny.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 5 Apr. 2010
Editors, History.com. “Mexican-American War.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009
Editors, History.com. “Louisiana Purchase.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2 Dec. 2009
Editors, History.com. “Westward Expansion.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 15 Dec. 2009
“Era of U.S. Continental Expansion.” US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives
“Oregon Trail.” HistoryNet
“Research Guides: Indian Removal Act: Primary Documents in American History: Introduction.” Introduction – Indian Removal Act: Primary Documents in American History – Research Guides at Library of Congress
Stuckey, Sterling. Call to Freedom. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2003.
“Westward Expansion.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 21 Aug. 2018
“Westward Expansion.” HistoryNet
“Westward Expansion.” Ducksters Educational Site
“Westward Expansion Facts.” Math
“Westward Expansion (Oregon Trail).” Ducksters Educational Site
“Westward Expansion (1807-1912) Summary.” SparkNotes, SparkNotes
“Why Did Americans Go to Oregon in the Early 1800s?” Enotes.com
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Benchmark used: S.S.8.3.10: Examine how and why the United States became a continental nation throughout the Westward Expansion.
Westward Expansion Timeline 