Examples Of Westward Expansion

The Senate ratified the treaty by a vote of 38 to 14. A few years later, the United States acquired still more land from Mexico. In 1853, James Gadsden arranged the purchase of a strip of land just south of the Mexican Cession for $10 million. Railroad builders wanted this land because it was relatively flat and could serve as a good railroad route. The acquisition of this land, known as the Gadsden Purchase, created the present-day border of the southwestern United States with Mexico.

Starting off his short term as president, James K. Polk had expanded the nation by two-thirds through the addition of Texas, the Oregon boundary, and the conquest of all Mexican provinces north of 31 degrees. However, having been elected on a platform pressing for Oregon to a northern boundary of of 54 degrees 40’ and Texas to a southern boundary of the Rio Grande river, Polk came to an agreement with Britain on 49 degrees but went to war with Mexico in want of Texas, New Mexico, and California. The acquisition of Mexico was concerning because it surfaced the debate over the balance of power and slavery between the North and the South. Along with Polk’s decision, Democrats agreed in expanding territory because of their strong following of the Democratic doctrine, the Manifest Destiny, by expanding the nation’s territory through any means.

In the late 1800s, the Transcontinental Railroad was constructed and that transformed the United States in many ways. This railroad helped expand the United States out to the west that could sew the country together and be connected in some sort of way. The Transcontinental Railroad impacted the United States economically by populating new areas for agriculture and mining, taxing railway shipping, and by importing and exporting. To start off with, a reason for an economic impact is the way the railroad helped populate new land that can open for mining, agriculture, and retail. Due to being able to mine, farm, and sell more helps the country expand in valuable resources found in the country, while also being able to sell food and clothes the

This purchase was known as the Louisiana purchase, and immensely doubled the size of the United States up until the 1840’s. Texas Annexation In the year 1845, under James Polk, the newly elected president, who was one of the most devoted people to the westward expansion of the United States was left to deal with the controversial issue of the Annexation of Texas. Prior to his presidency, president John Tyler in 1844 and Mexico had created tension between each other.

Why did the colonists expand westward? Well, at the time the colonists were very close together on the East coast and many people wanted to explore their living westward away from most of the civilization, to make their own. I am thankful for westward expansion because I live in west. The westward expansion was a great help to everyday life. This had great exploration westward for the brave people that decided to endure this excruciating journey.

How was the Oregon Territory obtained by the US? -In 1846 A treaty was made and signed called the Oregon Treaty between the US and Britain. This Treaty was meant to settle boundary problems. It gave Britain property over the north part of the 49th parallel and the US the south parallel.

The railroads were also being regulated by the government so the people did not have to pay as much. The federal government made the prices reasonable to afford and it was easier to make a living in the West (Interstate Commerce

After a year of independence from Mexico, Texas approached the United States about the possibility of being admitted to the Union as a slave-state. Fearing the wrath of Mexico and not wanting to disrupt the balance in the Senate, America declined Texas’ offer. Although, during the election of 1844 James K. Polk ran on a platform that embraced American territorial expansionism. Polk won the election and six days before he took office, the U.S. Congress approved the annexation of Texas. But, before Texas was an American state, there was tension amongst Texans and .

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.

The establishment and growth of the railroad had many influences on the Westward Expansion of America in the later half of the 1800’s. The railroad fueled the conflict with the Native Americans of the Plains, induced growth in population and economy in previously established urban areas, and lastly expanded the lands that were used for agriculture. The railroad affected various aspects of America’s West and the Great Plains. The advancement of the railroad West added to the already tense relationship with the Native Americans of the Plains.

The way they claimed annexed was by saying the Rio Grande was the southern boundary of Texas but Mexico said it was the Nueces River. In regards to the war, Americans were greatly divided. The northerners hated it because of the fact that Texas favored slavery. Those in the south liked the idea of a war because it would help expand to the west. This expansion would provide more land and opportunity.

The annexation of Texas occurred in the early 1800’s. American colonists were expanding into the Northern sector of the Rio Grande, which developed the need for Texas to become a part of the United States. In the South, the people supported the drive toward the annexation of Texas, but the Northerners opposed this idea. Texas was another slave state and the nature of their society did not appear appealing to the North.

For some, it was destiny to move west. Although there were many conflicts and disagreements between ourselves and others, it was destiny to move west because of overpopulation, new inventions of transportation methods, and new opportunities. In the 19th Century, overpopulation was one of the major reasons for Westward Expansion. Immigrants were flooding into America for new opportunities and new ways of life and there was just not enough land to suffice the needs for all of the people. These immigrants were arriving in America in the port cities on the East Coast.

At the end of the War Mexico had to ceced 55% of its land, and therefore the United States gained 520,000 square miles. The second event where Polk gained a good amount of land was the Oregon Treaty. This was a deal between the United States and Britain, where the United States wanted to have all the land in the Oregon region, instead of splitting it with Britain. James Polk was even willing to go to war with Great Britain again, in order to gain this land. After the treaty was signed the United States gained all the land in the Oregon Territory with the exception of Vancouver

Business owners made lots of money from the railroads because they were able to transport goods farther and faster with ease. Although the railroads tremendously impacted businesses and therefore the economy, the native americans were negatively impacted because the railroads were being laid on “their” land. This caused distrust between the settlers and the natives because of the “disrespect” for the land. Because of the new ways of transportation, the industrial revolution took place causing skilled artisans to be replaced by unskilled workers that used large complex machines.