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The Louisiana Purchase
The territory formally owned by France which was sold to the United States for 15 million dollars in 1803 during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. This purchase more than double the size of the United States. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first American expedition to cross what is now the western portion of the United States, departing in May, 1804 from St. Louis on the Mississippi River, making their way westward through the continental divide to the Pacific coast. -
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a 32-month military conflict between the United States on one side, and on the other Great Britain, its colonies and its Indian allies in North America. The outcome resolved many issues which remained from the American War of Independence, but involved no boundary changes. The United States declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions brought about by Britain's continuing war with France. -
Erie Canal
In 1825, the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. On October 25, 1825, the entire length of the Erie Canal was complete. -
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a 2000 mile east-west large wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon. The eastern part of the Oregon Trail spanned part of the future state of Kansas and nearly all of what are now the states of Nebraska and Wyoming. The western half of the trail spanned most of the future states of Idaho and Oregon. -
Indian Removal Act
Grants President Jackson to remove Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River. -
Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
Followed by the Texan-Mexican War. -
Treaty of New Echota
Removes all Natives from Florida and leads them on the Trail of Tears. -
The Donner Party
The Donner Pary became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and had to resort to cannibalism. -
Mormons Move West
Lead by Brigham Young, Mormoms settle the Great Salt Lake, eventually founding Salt Lake City. -
United States Pays for More Land
The USA pays Mexico $15 million dollars for the areas of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and parts of Colorado. -
California Becomes a State
California is now officially part of the United States. -
Gold Discovery in California
Followed by more than 80,000 people moving to California in search of gold. -
First Productive Oil Well
First oil well is drilled in Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake. -
First Transcontinental Telegraph
Faster and more reliable communication across great distances.
