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Louisiana Purchase
During President Thomas Jefferson's administration, the United States purchased what became known as the Louisiana territory for a value of about 68 million francs. The large amount of territory acquired in the purchase greatly expanded the American Frontier. -
The Lewis and Clark Expidition
This expedition was commissioned by President Jefferson in 1803, following the Louisiana Purchase. The goal of the expedition was to explore the new territory, and search for a water passage to the northwest section of America's west coast. The expedition did not find a water passage, but it did open up the new territory for westward expansion. -
The adoption of the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. policy that said that European powers would not be allowed to colonize in the new world. This reserved the American Frontier specifically for Americans. -
Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act, signed by President Andrew Jackson, removed the so-called Five Civilized Tribes from the southern U.S. This expanded the American Frontier to all of the previously occupied land. -
Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was a term coined by John O'Sullivan, and is the notion that Americans and American institutions are superior. Because of their superiority, Americans are morally obligated to spread the influence of the United States in order to free people from the tyranny of European monarchies. This concept became a large driving force in America's westward expansion during the last half of the 1800's. -
Defining the Borders of the Oregon Territory
In April 1846, President James K. Polk finalized an agreement with Britain that formerly defined the boundaries of the so-called Oregon Territory. This gave the U.S. access to the deep water port Puget Sound, which opened up China and the Pacific Islands for trade and colonization. -
The California Gold Rush
When James W. Marshall first discovered gold in California, it started a series of events that lead to thousands of people to immigrate to California. In 1849, approximately 90,000 people traveled to California in search of gold. -
Acquiring the Mexican Cession
At the end of the Mexican-American War, Mexico gave up a large section of land, known as the Mexican Cession, for 15 million dollars. The Mexican Cession included land that would be apart of modern day California, Utah, and Nevada, as well as parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. Additionally, Mexico gave up all claims to Texas, and set the border at the Rio Grande. -
The first settler uses the Homestead Act
The Homestead Act of 1862 gave settlers 160 acres of government land after completing a series of steps. The act was a government initiative to expand the Frontier by populating the west. -
Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad
With the completion of the transcontinental railroad, the east and west coasts were permanently connected. The railroad ended the use of all Frontier trails, and completely expanded the Frontier to the west coast.
