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The northwest Ordinance was passed
The Northwest Ordinance set precedent for the addition of new states instead of simply increasing the size of existing states. It also permitted expansion into territories north and west of the Ohio River. -
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
During an expedition through the Louisiana territory to find a useful water way. This lasted for two years with Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to accomplish their goals. -
The war with no winner
Over 3 years Canada and the U.S had a war for border changes it was fighting for. The other thing was that American Indian tribes were forced to move westward. -
The Missouri compromise
A conflict occurred for the approval for slavery and others in opposition when Missouri was applied for statehood. The Missouri compromise that would be admitted into pairs with one with slavery and the other with no slavery -
The Monroe Doctrine
This policy detailed that any additional western colonization by Europeans would be taken as hostility. The Monroe Doctrine inferred that the U.S. was the only country able to expand west into the uncolonized space. -
The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears
President Andrew Jackson signed the act into regulation, causing the autonomous nations of the Five Civilized Tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole Indians) to be pressured into signing removal treaties by legal and corporal force. The force of the removal pressed many of the tribes into Oklahoma land. The majority of the Cherokees, from May 18 to June 2, 1838, were forced to live in forts and stockades before departure for Indian Territory. -
The Oregon Trail
Major push for expansion to the west of the Mississippi began with the notion of Manifest Destiny. In search of religious freedom for Mormons, gold, silver, and richer soil, four trails brought harsh weather, Indian attacks, isolation, and the prospect of a transcontinental railroad. The Santa Fe Trail opened up the southwest, the Overland Trail went to California, the Great Salt Lake (Utah) was reached by the Mormon Trail, and the Oregon Trail took many settlers to the northwest. -
Manifest Destiny
The term Manifest Destiny was coined by John O'Sullivan in 1845. This belief that the expansion of the United States was inevitable and justifiable was the driving force of the century that led explorers and settlers westward in search of new land -
The Mexican-American War
Disputed Texas borders added pressure to Mexican officials and a small army was sent to the north bank of Rio Grande. Americans were successful and secured California. -
California Gold Rush
Gold was first discovered by James W. Marshall in Coloma, California in the Sierra Nevada foothills. He tried to keep it a secret, but word got out and people began rushing to the gold fields from Oregon, Mexico, Peru, the Pacific Islands, and Chile, as well as the rest of the United States. -
The Homestead Act
With intentions to create land for a variety of settlers, not only those who could afford to buy it outright, the Homestead Act set up a process that made land more affordable. After an application process, the buyer had to live on the land and make improvements for five years. After that, the homesteader could file for deed of residency. Land was free except for a small fee for registration.
