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Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States, giving it more territory in the west. The purchase was made from Napoleon for $15 million, and was made by President Thomas Jefferson. This purchase is the foundation of future westward expansion. -
Erie Canal Opens
The Erie Canal connected New York City to the west, revolutionizing trade and encouraging the construction of infastructure out west. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act pushed Native Americans out west of the Mississippi River, which would eventually lead to further mistreatment towards them when westward expansion began. -
Texas Rebellion
The Texans declare independence from Mexico, which begins the Texas Rebellion. In 1836, they became the Republic of Texas. This would eventually lead to them becoming a U.S. state. -
Trail of Tears
After the Treaty of New Echota, the Cherokees are forced to march west to Oklahoma with little help from the U.S. government in doing so. This results in thousands of natives dying in the process. -
Oregon Trail
People began to go in wagon trains down the Oregon Trail at this point in time, and over the course of history hundreds of thousands of people will attempt this journey. The trail stretched from Missouri to Oregon. -
Manifest Destiny
John O'Sullivan coins the phrase "Manifest Destiny" to describe the rapid westward expansion that was occuring at the time in the United States. He believed it was the United States' destiny to conquer the west. -
Texas' Statehood
Texas becomes a state, ending the Republic of Texas. It was annexed by the U.S, causing it to become the 28th state. After almost 10 years, it is officially granted statehood in December. -
Mormon Trail
Due to the people around them not agreeing with their religion, over 5,000 Mormons move from Iowa to Utah on the Mormon Trail. Over the next 23 years, over 70,000 Mormons would move west on this trail. -
Gold Rush
James Marshall was working on a sawmill in California, when he discovered large gold clumps. News spread, and over the next decades people flocked to California in an attempt to strike it rich. This would lead to California having a huge population in the future, with the largest city in California today having just under 4 million people in it.