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Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was the American peoples idea that we should always be striving and doing our best to further our destiny. Humans are built with this idea and it was inevitable that the American Colonists would feel the need to keep expanding their country further. -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana purchase was not only encouraged by manifest destiny, but was a strong political decision. The colonists knew that they needed to be valuable players in global politics, and knew that getting a stronger foothold with more land, would help with that. The political implications of having more land made westward expansion inevitable. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal act was a devastating time for Native Americans. But it did aid in westward expansion. It moved the natives westward and overtime they moved further and further. The colonists took over the land that the Natives had once been in and they also moved further and further west. -
The Oregon Trail
The Americans travelled on the Oregon Trail in search of free land and gold. Because of the Homestead Act and the Gold rush on the west coast, the colonists pushed it's people to go that direction. -
The Mexican-American War
The Mexican-American war was encouraged by manifest destiny. America gained almost nine entire (now) states that they did not have before. Manifest destiny combined with the colonists needing to show other countries that they were powerful made westward expansion inevitable. -
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush was a big contributor to westward expansion. It brought over hundreds of people l0ooking for gold, who decided to stay in California and the west coast. it was inevitable that Americans would go looking for something that would benefit themselves and their families. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The transcontinental railroad not only connected two sides of the country, but it forced families to the west side of the country. Workers lived there and soon people started to realize that they could live over there. The railroad made transportation easier and encouraged more people to go there. it showed that one day the west would be inhabited like the east.