Westward expanison

Westward Expansion of the United States

  • 13 Colonies Establishsed

    13 Colonies Establishsed
    The War of Independence ends and the Treaty of Paris establishes the first 13 colonies and boundaries.
  • Land Ordinance of 1785

    This ordinance created a system for how settlers could purchase farmland in unsettled in the west.
  • Northwest Ordinance of 1787

    Northwest Ordinance of 1787
    This ordinance created guidelines for settlement in the Northwest Territory of the United States.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    Louisiana Purchase
    The purchase of land from France expanded the U.S. from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
  • Cumberland Road Construction began

    Thomas Jefferson authorized construction of the Cumberland Road. This 600+ mile road was a common route for settlers traveling out west.
  • Steamboats

    Steamboats
    The invention of Steamboats created a faster mode of transportation on rivers.
  • Indian Removal Act

    Indian Removal Act
    President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act which gave the President authorization to negotiate southern tribal lands in exchange for their relocation West of the Mississippi River.
  • Gold Rush

    Gold Rush
    James Marshall Wilson discovered gold flakes near Coloma, California. When the news spread of this discovery, people rushed to California to try to find a fortune in gold.
  • Transcontinental Railroad was completed

    Transcontinental Railroad was completed
    The main line of the transcontinental railroad was completed. This railway lead to easier travel of people and goods across the United States.