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Whitney's Cotton Gin Transforms Southern Economy
This increased cotton production which meant more slaves were needed. More land was needed for expansion of cotton production, so people became more interested in the west. -
Missouri Compromise
Prohibited all slavery in Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36'30 (the southern boundary of Missouri). It put forth the issue of sectional balance, as well. The Missouri Compromise temporarily pushed the slavery issue aside. -
Erie Canal is Opened
Started canal development in the northwest, which revolutionized domestic trade and transportation. It connects Buffalo to Albany, New York, which then connects New York City to the Hudson River. -
The Indian Removal Act Is Passed
Andrew Jackson passed this Act. It made the Native Americans who were currently living east of the Mississippi River move west of the River. The Indians were forced to move west. -
The Battle of the Alamo
Mexican troops attack the town of San Antonio. Only women and children lived after this battle. Many were inspired to come west to help the Texans. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
This treaty ended the Aroostoock War. This was a dispute over the Maine boundary. Ashburton and Webster agreed to compromise on the Maine boundary. -
Polk defeats Clay in "Manifest Destiny" election.
James Polk oversaw the annexation of Oregon and Texas, and he is credited for beginning the Mexican War. Many northerners thought Polk was trying to expand to the western US to extend slavery. -
Texas is Admitted to the Union.
Texas is granted statehood and becomes the 28th state. This causes people to move westward to live in the new state of Texas. -
Fremont Conquers California
Fremont was an explorer who had several dozen well armed men who helped overthrow Mexican rule. He also collaborated with American Naval officers and local Americans. He conquered California! -
Mexican War Is Declared
Polk did not want to start the war. He wanted the Mexicans to strike first. As soon as he heard of some attacks he tried to get congress to declare war. -
United States Settles Oregon Dispute with Britain
American and British pioneers live together peacefully before Britain's offer. Several of the people in Oregon had moved west from the Mississippi River. Americans settled with what Britain offered them at the line of the 49th parallel. -
Mormon Migration
Many people did not like the Mormon Religion because of polygamy and voting as a block. Mormons had their own militia because of violent attacks towards them. They moved west to Utah from Ohio. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This gave America the title to Texas and large areas stretching westward to Oregon. The United $tates paid $15 million for the land and assumed the claims of its citizens against Mexico in the amount of $3.25 million. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was found at the bottom of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After the finding of gold, thousands of people flooded to California. This started many towns and cities. Many of the people who came here were misfits, so this made stealing and other things of that nature common. -
Gadsden Purchase from Mexico
This small desert area was full of cacti and was bought for $10 million. The southern track that this land would provide would be easier to build because the mountains were less high and because the route would not pass through unorganized territory. However, this area was never used for that purpose, thus leading many Americans to believe it was a waste of money. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
This made Kansas and Nebraska into two separate lands. The slavery issue would be decided upon by popular sovereignty. The First Transcontinental Railroad was moved north. -
The First Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads join their tracks at Promontory Point, Utah. The railroad rapidly affects the ease of western settlement, shortening the journey from coast to coast, which took six to eight months by wagon, to a one week trip. -
The Massacre at Wounded Knee
A Native American fires a rifle and then US Army troops kill 300 Indians, including children. This is a symbolic final step in the war for the west and the Natives resign themselves to reservation life. -
Oklahoma Opens Up To Whites
At noon, a rush of whites swarmed Oklahoma for cheap land. It was once considered Indian Territory and unvaluable. But with improved agricultural and ranching techniques, whites realized it was quite valuable. -
Arizona Is made a state.
Arizona is the last state admitted at this time. It was the fourty eighth state. This was the ending of getting and organizing the western part of the country.
