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Oregon Trail
In earlier years, the trail could only be traveled by foot or by horseback. In 1836, the first covered wagon group traveled on the Oregon trail from Missouri to Idaho. The trail was about 2,200 miles long. It was a dangerous journey. However, year after year there various improvements to make the Oregon Trail less dangerous. -
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Westward Expansion
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Trail of Tears
In 1830, the Indoan Removal Act was put into place by Andrew Jackson. The Cherokee tribes that were living east of the Mississippi River were forced to give up their territory. They were moved to what is now known as Nebraska to Oklahoma. The Trail of Tears was dangerous and devistating. More than 4,000 Cherokee members died and they suffered from starvation and disease. -
Texas annexation
Texas became part of the United States after being independant from Mexico for a few years. It was admitted as the 28th state. The Treaty of Annexation was passed during James K Polk's presidency and was a significant territorial gain. -
Oregon country
In 1818, Britain and the United States had joint occupation of the Oregon country. Eventually, the American settlers outnumbered the British. Due to manifest destiny, the United States wanted the abolish the joint occupation. The two countrues decided to divide it at the 49th parallel. -
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Mexican-American War
In the beginning, the Mexican cavalry attacked United States soldiers.They then proceded to siege ans American fort along the Rio Grande River. The United States defeated the Mexicans at the Palo Alto battle and Resaca de la Palma battle. Territory was siezed and the losses for Mexico kept adding up. The war ended in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Mexican cession
The territory gained was the third largest territory gain for the United States. The territory was gained when the Mexican-American war ended through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. There was an argument over whether to have slavery in the new territory or not. -
First gold rush
In 1848, James Marshall was building a sawmill in California. He noticed flakes of gold in the American River and tried to keep it secret. By 1849, around 80,000 immigrants fled to California to take part in the gold rush. The gold was free for the taking and there were no taxtes on it. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 passed five bills. Texas and the north surrendered their land claims. California was deemed a free state. The Utah and New Mexico territory were allowed popular soverignty, and decided to be free states. Slave trade was banned in Washington DC. -
Gadseden Purchase
The territory gained through the Gadsden Purchase is now known as southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. The United States obtained 29,670 square feet of land for $10 million.. -
Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Acr repealed the Missouri Compromise. It created two states for settling opportunities. The two states were allowed popular soverignty over the issue of slavery. The initial purpose was to open up new farms and a transcontinental railroad.
