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Lousiana Purchase
One of the major land purchases for America from France. -
Lewis and Clark Finally reach the Pacific
after many months of hardship, Lewis and Clark have finally arived at the Pacific Ocean, succesfully mapping trails for the US. -
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Manifest Destiny
A belief held by most of America that it was God's will(aka destiny) for us to expand Westward, therefore giving them the drive to kill and run people out of their homes without logical reason. -
Erie Canal
A canal running from Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York at lake Erie. The contruction of it reduced transportation costs by 95%, because water was the most Cost-effective way to ship animals and goods. -
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Andrew Jackson
A major contribution to the Westward Expansion, as he was the President who passed "The Indian Removal Act". -
Indian Removal Act
A law passed by Andrew Jackson that would lead to the removal of Native Americans from their home(the most famous tribe being the Cherokees). -
Trail of Tears
A part of the "Indian Removal Act"(see Indian removal Act) that had Americans forcing Native Americans out of their homelands. The most famous would be the Cherokees, in which they moved from plush, fertile, green land to cold, dry, devastating dessert. -
Oregon Trail
People begin to travel west in wagon trains on the Oregon Trail. -
Texas Annexation
Texas becomes the 28th state -
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Mexican-American War
the fourth of the five major wars fought on American soil against the Mexicans. Ended in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Oregon Treaty
England sign over Oregon to the US -
Wilmot Proviso
an amendment proposed to an appropriations bill regarding the West, which proposed that slavery be prohibited in all of the Mexican cession other than Texas. The proviso passed the House but stalled in the Senate, where it was the cause of further arguments between northern and southern politicians. (citation in link) -
The Donner Party
The Donner Party became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains after taking a short cut through the mountains that added weeks to their travel time. Little more than half of the party made it to California and only after many had resorted to cannibalism. -
California Gold Rush
James Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Mill and fword travels fast. Soon, people from all over(international too, mostly Chinese) are fleeing to California in search of Gold. -
The Comprimise of 1850
a comprimise meant to quiet the regional conflicts between the north and south. Each region would Annexate a state to keep voting equal. This was most important when California came into statehood.(check California Gold Rush) -
Pony Express
a mail delivery system in which "mailmen" road horseback cross country to deliver telegraphs. This was not very fast, as sometime it would take weeks, but it still got the job done. -
Telegraph
The first transcontinental telegraph line is completed making communication faster and more reliable than ever from across great distances. -
The Homestead Act
This gave free farms to families, based on family size; the only requirement was residence for a fixed period of time. This prompted families on the east coast to surge westward in search of a better life. -
Pacific Railroad Act
The United States government agrees to help fund a railroad from California to Missouri. -
Transcontinental Railroad
The first railroad to span across the whole United states ("from sea to shining sea")
