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Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase is one of the most important events in the westward expansion. Thomas Jefferson tried to make a deal with France about getting some land outside of New Orleans. He ended up coming back with the whole Louisiana Territory. More than 800,000 acres were added to America for 15 million dollars. That is about 4 cents per acre! Thomas Jefferson struck a great deal for our country. -
Corps of Discovery
The Corps of Discovery was essential to find out about Americas new land, the Louisiana territory. Thomas Jefferson appointed Meriwether Lewis to lead the exploration and he had asked William Clark, his close friend, to go with him. The 3 main goals of this trip were to find a waterway to the west coast, make friends with tribes, and to find out and report all they could about the areas land. A Native American by the name of Sacagewea help Lewis and Clark make this exploration a huge success. -
War of 1812
Most people forget about the war of 1812, not realizing its importance. Great Britain was in a bitter conflict with France. Trying to cut off supplies from reaching the enemy, both sides attempted to block the United States from trading with the other. The White House and Capitol were burned to the ground during the invasion of Washington, D.C.. Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner" based on this war. Even though the was ended in a stalemate, it brought America closer than ever. -
The Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was passed by President James Monroe. It stated that America would not allow any type of European presence in the Western Hemisphere. Also, North and South America was to be off-limits to future colonization by any other countries. With this said, The US government would consider any European attempts to colonize or interfere with nations in the Americas to be a hostile act. The Monroe Doctrine was a significant step in the development of our country. -
The Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears
Andrew Jackson passed a law to move Native Americans from the Southeast to the west of the Mississippi. The five major tribes affected were the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole. The Trail of Tears occurred in 1838 and the Cherokee nation was forced to march from the east coast to Oklahoma. Several thousands died along the way. It might have been good for the United States but it was unfair to the Native American tribes. -
Florida Territory
Before the treaty, Florida was owned by Spain. Andrew Jackson's troops invaded Florida to capture seminole raiders. Jackson had also overthrew the Spainish govenor of Florida and took over Spanish military posts. They decided to negociate a deal called the Adams Onis Treaty and we then owned East Florida. Andrew Jackson once again helped us get more land and our country wouldn't be the same without it. -
Texas
Texans elected Sam Houston president and voted to join the United States. Americans said it was manifest destiny to add Texas to the nation. At this time, James Polk was President and congress voted to add Texas.The US and Mexico both disagreed on settling a border and Congress declared war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 set the border between Texas and Mexico. Texas was no longer it's own country and it was a great addition to America. -
Mexican American War and The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The United States and Mexico could not agree on the border
between them. James K. Polk believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean.The United states declared war and it became known as the Mexican–American War. The United states defeated Mexico. Mexico had to give up much of California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in 1848. The idea of Manifest Destiny was going successfully for America. -
Oregan Territory
Without the Oregan Territory, the shaping of the United States would be extremely different. The United states and Great Britain established a joint claim over the Oregon territory between 42° N and 54°40′ N. James Polk took control of the Oregon Territory and used the campaign slogan "Fifty-four forty or fight." The boundary between the United States and British Canada was established at 49° with the Treaty of Oregon. America was once again successful with gaining new land.
