Westward-Expansion | American Lietrature

Westard Expansion| Unit 1 of American Literature

1. Westward Expansion The westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century was a transformative period that saw the country grow from the original 13 colonies to span across the entire North American continent. This expansion was driven by a sense of Manifest Destiny and a thirst for new land and resources. Prepared by: Nilay N. Rathod

2. The Louisiana Purchase A Pivotal Land Deal In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the country and paving the way for further westward expansion. Strategic Importance The Louisiana Purchase gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River and access to the Port of New Orleans, solidifying America's position as a emerging global power. Exploration and Settlement The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory opened up vast new lands for exploration and settlement, fueling the country's westward push.

3. The Louisiana Purchase Why did Thomas Jefferson the Louisiana Purchase? The Louisiana Purchase eventually doubled the size of the United States, greatly strengthened the country materially and strategically, provided a powerful impetus to westward expansion, and confirmed the doctrine of implied powers of the federal Constitution. Why did France sell Louisiana to the US? President Thomas Jefferson worried that French control of the Mississippi River might close off that vital transportation route to the American West. Jefferson instructed the American minister in Paris to try to purchase the city of New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle, for which Congress had appropriated $2 million. Why did France sell Louisiana to the US? But France's ruler at the time, Napoleon Bonaparte, was losing interest in establishing a North American empire and needed funds to fight the British, so he directed his emissaries to offer not just New Orleans but all of the Louisiana Territory to the Americans.

4. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Preparation In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Journey Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the expedition embarked on a two-year journey across the uncharted American West. Discoveries The expedition made numerous important discoveries, including the routes of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers, and established relationships with Native American tribes.

5. Manifest Destiny 1 A Guiding Principle Manifest Destiny was the 19th century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. 2 Driving Exploration This ideology fueled the government's push to acquire new territories and resources, and drove early pioneers to settle the West. 3 Controversies Manifest Destiny was also used to justify the displacement of Native American tribes and the Mexican-American War.

6. The Oregon Trail A Perilous Journey The Oregon Trail was a 2,000-mile overland route used by pioneers to travel from the Missouri River to the Pacific Northwest. Hardships Faced The journey was arduous, with pioneers braving rough terrain, harsh weather, and the constant threat of disease and injury. A Transformative Migration The mass migration along the Oregon Trail played a pivotal role in the westward expansion and settlement of the United States.

7. The California Gold Rush Gold Discovery In 1848, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California, sparking a massive influx of prospectors and settlers. 49ers Thousands of prospectors, known as "49ers", flocked to California in search of their fortune. Boomtowns Gold rush towns like San Francisco and Sacramento experienced rapid growth and development during this period.

8. The Transcontinental Railroad Connecting the Coasts The transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869, linked the eastern and western United States, facilitating trade, travel, and settlement. Technological Feat The construction of the railroad, spanning over 1,700 miles, was an incredible engineering accomplishment for its time. Economic Transformation The railroad revolutionized transportation and commerce, fueling the growth of industries and communities across the country.

9. The Closing of the Frontier Technological Advances The introduction of the railroad, telegraph, and other technologies allowed for faster settlement and development of the West. Exhaustion of Resources The rapid exploitation of natural resources, such as timber and minerals, eventually led to the depletion of the West's frontier. Displacement of Native Tribes The relentless expansion of the United States resulted in the displacement and subjugation of numerous Native American tribes.