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The Louisiana Purchase
The United Sates purchased Louisiana Territory from France, gaining land west of the Mississippi. The Louisiana purchase doubled the size of the nation, and added 15 states. -
The Second Great Awakening
Religious boom contributed to westward expansion. The Mormon community moved to the west to avoid religious persecution. -
Period: to
Antebellum Period
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The Great Emigration
Thousands of pioneers headed west on the Oregon Trails. The sudden increase was because of a severe depression in the Midwest, plus the flood of propaganda from fur traders, missionaries, and government officials over exaggerated praise of the land. -
Manifest Destiny
Philosophy that caused 19th-century U.S. territorial expansion. They believed that, by God’s will, the United States was destined to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. -
James K. Polk’s Presidency
During Polk's presidency, America's territory grew by more than one-third and extended across the continent for the first time. He secured a lot of land to the west including the Oregon Territory, California Territory, and acquired New Mexico from Mexico. -
Texas Annexation
Texas entered into the United States as the 28th state after the congress of the Republic of Texas accepted the United States annexation of the territory. -
Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Treaty was between Britain and The United States, which set the boundary between the U.S. and Canada. The treaty was the first success of Manifest Destiny, and showed that the United States was willing to fight for westward expansion. -
California Gold Rush
Many people across the world traveled to California upon hearing there was gold. This occurrence helped to speed up the admission of California into the United States. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The treaty expanded the United States territory. It included The present day Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Mexico also gave up all claims to Texas and recognized the Rio Grande as America’s southern boundary. -
Statehood for California
California became a state after Mexico ceded the territory following the capture of Mexico City during the Mexican- American War. -
Gadsden Purchase
Mexico sold territory to the United States in the area that would eventually become southern Arizona and New Mexico. However, the deal worsened North and South conflict, leading up to the Civil War. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This bill was created to organize the western territories of Kansas and Nebraska, but it also helped to split two political parties and create another, as well as worsen North and South relations.
