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The Louisiana Purchase
- This was a land deal made between the United States (Thomas Jefferson) and France (Napoleon Bonaparte), where the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
- At this time France was in financial trouble due to the war and was willing to sell the territory for $15 million.
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The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Despite having purchased the Louisiana territory, no one knew what they would encounter as they moved into the land west of the Mississippi river. Thomas Jefferson sent an expedition to explore the unknown territories of the Louisiana purchase. Lewis and Clark's team worked to map uncharted land, rivers, and mountains. They also brought back information about native American tribes, plants, and animals they encountered. This made it possible for the great westward expansion to begin. -
The War of 1812 begins
This was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain. The United States declared war due to Britain's interference and prevention with European trade and westward expansion. -
The Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed by British and American representatives at Ghent, Belgium. This treaty ended the war between the United States and Great Britain. -
Missouri Compromise
This agreement was passed by the U.S. Congress in an attempt to address the growing tension over the spread of slavery. The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri to the Union as state that would allow slavery and Maine as a free state. This was done in an effort to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states. -
Indian Removal Act is passed
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. This act gave the president the authority to relocate Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi river to the western territories. A few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted and ended up being forcibly removed from their land. This act was meant to make the westward expansion easier for Americans. -
Texas Revolution begins
After Mexico gained its independence from Spain under the leadership of General Lopez de Santa Anna, he wanted to impose his control over the settlers in Texas. This conflict led to a war fought between Mexico and the Texas colonists. This lead to the famous battle of the Alamo and eventually Texas's independence. -
the Mexican- American war
This war resulted from the United States repeated encroachment onto Mexican territory and Mexico's refusal to recognize Texas as independent. The war marked the first U.S. armed conflict fought on foreign soil and helped fulfill the goals of "manifest destiny". The United States received the disputed territory of Texas along with New Mexico territory and California. -
California Gold Rush
The Gold Rush began when gold was founded by James W. Marshall in a California river. At the time their were few people living in the area, but the news spread quickly causing people to move from all over the country in an attempt to find their fortune. Soon the population grew by over 100,000 and helped California to establish statehood. -
Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the Union (free states) and the Confederate states (slave states). The confederate states consisted of eleven southern states that left the union. The conflict began as a result of the long lasting tension over slavery, states' rights, and westward expansion. The Union won the civil war after the Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered. -
The Reconstruction
The period after the Civil War is known as the Reconstruction era. During this time the United States worked to reintegrate Southern states, guarantee rights to former slaves, and redefining the relationship between African Americans and whites.
