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The Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson buys the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million. This doubles the size of the United States and provides a large area to the west of the country for expansion. -
Lewis and Clark reach the Pacific Ocean
Lewis and Clark map out the areas of the Louisiana Purchase and eventually reach Pacific Ocean. -
The Oregon Trail
People begin to travel west in wagon trains. Around 300,000 people would take the trail over for 20 years. -
The Mamifest Destiny
Journalist John O'Sullivan first uses the term "Manifest Destiny" to describe the westward expansion of the United States. -
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Mexican American War
A war fought over the rights to Texas. After the war, the United States paid Mexico $15 million for land that would later become California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of several other states. -
Gold Rush Begins
James Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Mill. Soon word is out and people rush to California to strike it rich.
