Unit 2 Westward Expansion Case Study

Westward Expansion The Louis and Clark expedition best represents the start to Westward expansion following the end of the American Revolution in 1783. The Westward expansion began when Thomas Jefferson strived for expansion in order to form trade routes from the Atlantic to Pacific. The expedition of Louis and Clark took a total of 2 years and 4 months, covering 8,000 miles. They traveled the Missouri and Columbia river until they reached their destination. The long time period of travel had a tremendous effect on American history and society.

Name: Maddux, Korzenko Date 5/25/2023 Mrs. Cimini / Mrs. Golden Westward Expansion Westward ExpaWestward Expansion Table of Contents Introduction Louisiana Purchase Lewis and Clark The Oregon Trail Native American Struggles California Gold Rush Introduction Westward Expansion was a time of many events, and in this report I will talk about a bunch of important events about the Westward Expansion. Some of these included the Louisiana Purchase, or the famous explorers Lewis and Clark who explored many lands.

The course text states that in the mid-1800s many people in the United States felt a sense of uniqueness about the United States that helped drive westward expansion. As the course text elaborates, “rooted in Puritan utopianism and revolutionary republicanism, this sense of uniqueness and mission also stemmed from the rapid growth and progress of the early nineteenth century” (365). With this in mind, looking back over the course, explain how each of the following elements of United States history influenced attitudes on western expansion in the mid-1800s: Puritan utopianism, revolutionary republicanism, and mid-1800s’ economic growth. Be clear and specific in connecting each of these elements to westward expansion in the mid-1800s. Then, explain

America today would not be the same without westward expansion, the railroad and the American dream. Westward Expansion is the all American story “Cowboys and Indians “is the first thing that comes to mind when people say America and without westward expansions that would have never happened. Without Railroads transporting items and people took thousands of dollars and a weeks upon weeks. “The railroads were the arteries of America” Tom

The United States government played a major part in Westward expansion. From building railroads to relocating Native Americans to reservations, the U.S. realized how big the West was both financially and politically. They found many ways to encourage citizens to settle in the west. They sold cheap land, borrowed money to support the railroads, cleared up hundreds of acres of good, fertile land (by taking it from the Native Americans). In this essay, we will be discussing the roles of the U.S. government in Westward expansion.

Westward Expansion PEGS The decision to annex Texas produced problems within the government for example, whether or not adding a new slave state was equal according to the Missouri Compromise. They also feared that it would block the nation’s plan to accomplish Manifest Destiny. After President Polk annexed Texas, Mexico and Texas had to establish the border. Mexico believed that it was the Nueces River, however Texas and the rest of the U.S. believed it was the Rio Grande River, this caused a dispute between the two leading to the U.S. Mexican War. James K. Polk made it his mission during his campaign to annex Texas when John Tyler did not want to add the republic.

America has come a long way and one thing we will never forget is the history. Two major events in developing America and the British North American colonies between 1607 and 1877 is westward expansion and he North-South division. The North-South division was the split between the Union States and the Confederate states because of their very opposite beliefs. The most well-known event of this division was the American Civil War between these two sides of early America. Westward expansion was the period when millions of people continued to migrate into the western parts of America.

In the 1830’s, the people living in the United States wanted something new and more than they already had. These pioneer people wanted more of everything: land, money, freedom, etc. They wanted chances and the ability to do more. They were somewhat content with their life in the North-Eastern Hemisphere, but they were always striving for something better.

In the Nebraska Palladium, an author penned his article to talk about not only his desire to keep expanding westward, but to also explain that his fellow citizens have decided that expansion is what is right and necessary. He continues onward to explain some of the reasons about why he thinks continued expansion could be a very positive situation, citing commercial and agricultural growth. His specific belief on westward expansion is: not only is it right, but it is necessary to the successful growth of America. There’s a small section where he mentions territorial legislation, but he makes it sound as if definite law has not yet been passed. While he doesn’t specifically identify with a party in his article, he appears to align with the Republican

The late 19th century was a time of exploration, innovation, and continued westward expansion. The West, however, was not as glorified as people today like to think it was. Westward expansion had many benefits, the main being lots of new land for both the Americans and immigrants, but many ideas of the West have been altered throughout the years. The West was romanticized in many ways, people moved to the West in the pursuit of happiness, but today many hardships of westward expansion have been ignored. Cowboys and homesteads are two major concepts that have been romanticized today about the West.

Throughout the 19th century European settlers in the United States were enthralled by Westward expansion, furthermore, defining the Western region of the country as the ‘frontier’ to represent the challenges and opportunities expanding West would institute. Westward expansion was significantly driven by the concept of Manifest destiny which describes the idea that Europeans have the divine power and inherent right to expand across North America (Burton, January 17th, 2023). Westward expansion was legally encouraged and endorsed by the federal government through the Homestead act of 1862. The Homestead Act encouraged Westward migration/ settlement by offering land grants to settlers from the East willing to migrate to the West to develop the land.

By the year 1845, slavery had been outlawed throughout Europe and there was very little transatlantic slave trade going on due to its abolishment in many countries and their colonies. But in the United States, it was still legal, though widely controversial. As America expanded westward, there was a lot of conflict over whether slavery should expand as well. The issue of the expansion of slavery played a major role in the causation of the civil war because of how it reinforced sectionalism between the North and the South and because of the “band-aid fixes” made by the government in an attempt to maintain the free state-slave state balance.

Westward Expansion Flash Draft Have you ever wondered about what would 've happened if the westward expansion never occurred? We wouldn 't have many things you know today and America would be a lot smaller. The westward expansion happened during the 1800s and helped shape the modern America. The westward expansion started with the Louisiana Purchase and was made even stronger by the Gold Rush. Many people came to strike it rich or just to start a new life out west.

The Westward Expansion all started when America made the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There were many benefits from the purchase for the US that the French didn’t realize before they sold it. The purchase gave the US access to the Mississippi river which allowed for expansion of river trade to the North and South from the center of the US. The port city of New Orleans was bought by the US and its prosperity benefited the US greatly. The US sent Lewis and Clark west to investigate the land they purchased.

What do you think was the best decision during The Westward Expansion? You might have said The Louisiana Purchase or The Lewis and Clark expedition or even the Acquisition of Texas. All these options are good but, The Gold Rush was definitely more beneficial and greater than these options. On many articles this was stated about the Louisiana Purchase,” While such a significant acquisition of land was an advantageous move for the United States, the purchase produced some problems and complications.” One of these problems was,” The Louisiana Territory rekindled the smoldering debate over slavery in the United States.”