Pushing Boundaries: Westward Expansion
Westward Expansion analyzes the 19th-century movement of settlers across the North American continent, from the early 1800s to the 1890s, and its impact on various groups. It examines the drive for land and opportunity that fueled migration, the policies and events that enabled it, and the consequences for Native Americans, settlers, and the environment, shaping the modern United States.
Timeline of Westward Expansion
This section outlines the key phases and developments of westward movement. Here’s the breakdown:
- Early Expansion (1800s-1830s): Initial movements and policies encouraging westward migration.
- Major Movements (1840s-1860s): Significant migrations and events driving expansion.
- Impact on Native Americans: The displacement and cultural disruption caused by expansion.
- Closing of the Frontier (1870s-1890s): The end of open western lands and its lasting effects.
Key Figures and Events
This section highlights the main individuals and pivotal moments that shaped Westward Expansion:
- Thomas Jefferson (1803): Authorized the Louisiana Purchase, doubling U.S. territory.
- Louisiana Purchase (1803): Bought from France, opened vast lands for settlement.
- Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806): Explored the West, mapping routes to the Pacific.
- Trail of Tears (1838-1839): Forced removal of Cherokee and other tribes from their lands.
- Homestead Act (1862): Granted 160 acres of land to settlers willing to farm it.
- Battle of Little Bighorn (1876): Lakota and Cheyenne defeated U.S. forces, led by Custer.
Examples of Westward Expansion
Early Expansion (1800s-1830s) Examples
- The Louisiana Purchase added 828,000 square miles for $15 million.
- Settlers moved into the Ohio River Valley, establishing farms and towns.
- The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connected the East to the Midwest, boosting trade.
Major Movements (1840s-1860s) Examples
- The Oregon Trail led thousands of settlers to the Pacific Northwest by 1846.
- The California Gold Rush of 1849 drew prospectors seeking fortune.
- The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, linked East and West coasts.
Impact on Native Americans Examples
- The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced tribes like the Choctaw off their lands.
- The Sioux were pushed onto reservations after conflicts in the 1870s.
- The Dawes Act of 1887 broke up tribal lands, aiming to assimilate Native Americans.
Closing of the Frontier (1870s-1890s) Examples
- The 1890 Census declared the frontier closed, with no open land remaining.
- The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked the end of major Native resistance.
- Cattle ranching boomed in the Great Plains, leading to the rise of the cowboy era.