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United States Westward Expansion
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John O'Sullivan - Manifest destiny
In 1845, a journalist named John O’Sullivan put a name to the idea that helped pull many pioneers toward the western frontier. Westward migration was an essential part of the republican project, he argued, and it was Americans’ “manifest destiny,” to carry the “great experiment of liberty” to the edge of the continent: to “overspread and to possess the whole of the [land] which Providence has given us,” O’Sullivan wrote. The survival of American freedom depended on it.
history.com history.com -
State of Texas enters the union as the 28th state
After many years of battles with Mexico and standing alone as the independent Republic of Texas, this massive land area became known as the great state of Texas and entered the union as the 28th state in 1845. -
Donner party
The Donner party attempts to cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range and encounters very bad weather.Many became very ill and died. Some of the surviving people resorted to eating family dogs and cannibalism to make it throught the winter.Only half of the original party made it through the winter.
"Donner Party — History.com Articles, Video, Pictures and Facts." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2012. -
Mexican - American War
The war was sparked by Mexian resentment of the annexation of the state of Texas into the union in 1845. The result of the war gave the United States the terriroty west of Texas which would include the future states of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and part of Arizona.
Castillo, Richard Griswold del. "The U.S.-Mexican War . War (1846-1848) . Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2012. -
Mormon settlers leave Illinois, heading west
Mormon pioneers began to travel westward in search of a place to expand the Mormon church and mormon faith. Much like the other pioneers, the mormons followed the westward movement along the Mormon trail and eventually settled in the Salt Lake valley. Much like other pioneers, the mormon westward movement encountered many of the same hardships as they made thier way west.
"Mormon Church: Westward Migration Period | Mormon History." Mormon History - History of Mormonism. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2 -
California!
Gold is discovered in California, prompting many to pack up and head west in search of their own fortunes. In the following year, more than 80,000 people would move to California. This time period would be referred to as the "Gold Rush" due to the thousands that settled in California. -
California becomes a state
California becomes the 31st state admitted to the union. -
Compromise of 1850
The compromise of 1850 added 1 million more square miles to the United States. The question of whether or not slavery would be allowed in the newly acquired territories was of significant importance. The Missouri compromise of 1820 attempted to resolve the issue of expansion and slavery by allowing Missouri to be a slave state and Maine a free state. The issue would continue to play a part in westward expansion, increased agricultural growth and how the farms would be planted and harvested. -
Gadsden Purchase
n 1853, the Gadsden Purchase added about 30,000 square miles of Mexican territory to the United States and fixed the boundaries of the “lower 48” where they are today. history.com -
Kansas Nebraska act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854. It allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The Act served to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´.
Americans., Native. "The History Place presents Abraham Lincoln." The History Place. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2012. -
Comstock Lode
The Comstock Lode was the first significant silver discovery in the United States. The state of Nevada was put on the map because of this discovery and earned its statehood because of the popularity of finding the silver mine. Virginia City became the centerpoint for most settlers looking to strike it rich. As the fever for silver increased, more inventions that allowed for excavation and mining techniques surfaced. -
Transcontinental Telegraph
The first transcontinental telegraph message was sent from Washngton DC to San Francisco. This was the beginning of opening up the western United States to the eastern United States for increased communication, trade and financial transactions at the stock market in New York. Until now, people relied heavily on the pony express. -
Homestead Act
This act was meant to help poor Americans help with westward expansion by providing them free land. The only requirement was they needed to build a home and make improvements to the land in order to eventually own it. "It was not until May 20, 1862, that the free Homestead Act was finally passed and signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The law took effect on January 1, 1863."
19th, the end of the. "The Homestead Act - Creating Prosperity in America." Legends of America - American History, People -
Montana Territory Created
President Lincoln wanted to create new territories during the civil war and Montana was on his list. Montana was considered an "unstable" area due to the amount of indian tribes inhabiting the area. The US gained rights to the territory through the Louisiana purchase. "In 1864, Montana was deemed worthy of territorial status and 25 years later entered the Union as the 41st state."
“Montana Territory created.” 2012. The History Channel website. Dec 2 2012, 3:09 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-
