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Period: to
Westward Expansion
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Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the largest and most extraordinary land purchase in the history of the United States. It was also the cheapest (per square mile), only $15 million. Thanks Napolean! -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Sacagawea and their group of men called the Corps of Discovery started their journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back. -
Lewis and Clark Finish
In 1806 Lewis and Clark finished their expedition and returned to St. Louis. Reuniting on August 12, at Reunion Bay near New Town, North Dakota, days later Lewis and Clark bid farewell to Sacagawea, paid Toussaint Charbonneau for his services and turned their canoes south, arriving in St. Louis 37 days later. -
Spain Cession
Spain claimed ownership of Florida, by the Seminole Indian Tribe actually lived in Florida and claimed the areas as their "nation." The Spanish sold the land to the AmericansThe present-day states that were a part of the Spanish Cession were Florida, the south-west corner of Louisiana, apart of Colorodo around Denver. -
Trail of Tears
The Cherokees, Choctaws and other members of the Five Civilized Tribes were expelled from the Deep South to Oklahoma. These forced marches to Oklahoma are known as the "Trail of Tears" because of the disease, suffering, and massive number of deaths the tribes experienced, and the grief they felt leaving their homes. -
The Batttle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas). All but two of the Texian defenders were killed. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. This led to their Independence on April 21st, 1836. -
Oregon Trail Opens
The Oregon Trail is opened from Idaho to the GrandeRonde Valley in Oregon. The Great Migration, the name given to the first major exodus of emigrants westward, draws one thousand settlers onto the Oregon Trail. -
Annexation of Texas to the Union
The eastern part of New Mexico and Texas and a thin part of western Colorado were part of the Annexation of Texas. -
Oregon Territory Added to the Union
The Oregon Treaty of 1846 added additional territory to the United Sates. The states that were part of the Oregon Territory in present-day were Washington, Idaho, Oregon. -
Mexican Cession
The present-day American states that were part of the Mexican Cession included California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona north of Phoenix, -
Gadsden Purchase
The southern portion of Arizona, between Phoenix and the Mexican border, as well as the southwestern most corner of New Mexico were included in the Gadsden Purchase.
