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Trail of Tears
The forced relocation of the Indian nations from the southeast United States is known as the Trail of Tears. Earlier, these tribes had been promised these lands. When valuable natural resources were discovered, the lands became even more coveted. These tribes were agricultural and controlled fertile land. Soon, tribes began to sign removal agreements. Some people resisted and American military was used to force the move. The route these tribes took is now nationally recognized and preserved. -
Indian Removal Act
After Andrew Jackson became president, he pushed for the approval of the Indian Removal Act. The treaty would allow the president to give lands west of the Mississippi to tribes in exchange for giving up their lands in the east. The president would also be allowed to provide financial and material assistance to move the tribes. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty, signed by John Tyler, resolved several border disputes. The Treaty of Paris stated the 45th parallel as the boundary of New York and Vermont but the land had been surveyed wrong. The treaty pushed the border north to where the fort was built. The treaty also adjusted the Maine border to resolved multiple small conflicts. The border between Lake of the Woods and Lake Superior also needed clarification because a faulty map had been used during the Treaty of Paris. -
Treaty of Annexation of Texas
The Republic of Texas had to choose between independence and joining the Union. The Mexican government was strongly against Texas joining the Union. The citizens of the US and of Texas now supported the annexation of Texas. A treaty was drafted by both countries but the US Senate rejected this plan. President Tyler promised to try again. This time the treaty was successful. Texas became the 28th state in the Union as President Polk signed the treaty. -
Oregon Territory
The Oregon Territory had seen claims from the US, Spain, Great Britain, and Russia. Spain ceded its claim to the land soon. As more citizens were moving into the Oregon Territory, the American government decided to try to agree on the border of the territory because it had been disputed by both countries. The Americans wanted the border to be the 54 degree line while the British wanted it to be along the Columbia River. The sides agreed to extend the border along the 49 degree line to the ocean. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war between the United States and Mexico. The terms of the treaty forced Mexico to cede of half of its lands in what is now the American southwest. After American soldiers seized Mexico City, both parties agreed to negotiate a treaty. Nicholas Trist was tasked with negotiating the treaty. Trist went ahead to negotiate the treaty without the president’s will. This treaty would soon be ratified by the Senate. -
Gadsden Purchase
James Gadsden was sent to seek a treaty with Santa Anna. The United States was interested in a small piece of land south of Arizona and New Mexico. They believed that the land would be required to build a transcontinental railroad. Santa Anna needed the money to pay off debts from the war and to fund his military to defend against rebellions. -
Homestead Act
The Homestead Act allowed for any citizen to settle land for a very cheap price. Homesteaders making a claim to a piece of land had to make small improvements to the land. After 5 years, the homesteader could file for a free title. Otherwise they could choose to pay $1.25 an acre after living on the land for 6 months. Civil War soldiers that fought for the Union were allowed to subtract their time serving in the military from the time they needed to spend on the homestead. -
Pacific Railway Act
The Pacific Railway Act provided land and loans to help build the transcontinental railroad. The government began by sending land surveyors to find a suitable route. The act was then passed and allowed for a railroad and telegraph line to be built for government use. The legislation allowed the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroad companies to meet in the Promontory, Utah to finish the railroad after starting on the exterior of the West. -
Seward’s Folly (Alaska)
Russia had offered to sell Alaska to the United States for many years. After the Civil War, secretary of state Seward made the final decision to purchase the land for $7.2 million or less than 2 cents an acre. The purchase was nicknamed Seward’s Folly because the land was thought to be a desolate, frozen wasteland. After gold was discovered in the lat 19th century, many people changed their mind and the land had proved to be full of natural resources as it was explored more.