-
-
In 1803 the United States Acquired the state of Louisiana from the French. After the French regained the territory of Louisiana from Spain, the US got afraid that the French would try to take over the Mississippi river and gulf of Mexico. However, due to the ongoing slave revolution in Haiti the French did not have enough resources or man power in New Orleans so they offered to sell the land to the US. -
Who: Lewis & Clark
What: An Expedition across the lands west of the Mississippi river
When: 1804
Where: Lands west of the Mississippi
Why: The US has just acquired all the lands west of the Mississippi from the Louisiana Purchase. President Thomas Jefferson wanted someone to explore the lands so he gave the task to Lewis and Clark. The expedition lasted over two years and the two faced many hardships. This expedition brought new and helpful information about the terrain they explored. -
Who: The U.S & Great Britain
What: Fought in a war
Where: In various states in the U.S
When: 1812
Why: Great Britain was in a conflict with France so naturally they wanted to cut off all supplies and trade from their enemy. This included blocking the U.S in trade and impressing their seamen. After many defeats in various states the U.S was finally able to prevail and the war ended with the treaty of Ghent in 1815. The war brought much patriotism and pride to the U.S citizens. -
Who: The U.S
What: The Missouri Compromise
Where: Missouri
When: 1820
Why: When Missouri applied for state hood the question arose of weather the state would allow slavery. While many citizens wanted it to be a slavery state many were also worried that it would throw off the balance between the free and slave states in America. The solution to this was to admit Missouri as a slave state while also admitting Maine as a free state. Slavery would also be banned in all states in the north. -
Who: James Monroe
What: Monroe Doctrine
Where: The U.S
When: 1823
Why: The Monroe Doctrine was basically a document saying that the European powers and the U.S should stay out of each other's business. Originally Monroe was open to joining forces with the British but was convinced that it could stunt the U.S growth and limit future opportunities. Any European power that tried to get involved in the western hemisphere from then on would be seen as a threat to the United States. -
Who: The U.S
What: Forcefully moved the Native Americans
Where: To the West of the Mississippi
When: 1830
Why: America wanted to acquire the lands that the Native Americans occupied because they were rich in resources. They also needed more space for farming and agriculture. So they decided that they would move the natives to different lands. Some tribes went willingly while others the states had to force out. -
Who: America
What: Manifest Destiny
Where: All of North America
When: 1845
Why: Manifest Destiny was basically the idea that Americans deserved the right to settle across the entirety of North America and not just be limited to the east where they started. While this belief was beneficial to Americans it was detrimental to the Native Americans. -
Who: America & Mexico
What: Engaged in war
Where: Across texas and the south west
When: 1846-1848
Why: When Texas won its independence from Mexico they argued over the territorial borders of Texas and this problem was left unsolved later leading to the Mexican-American War. The U.S won the war and things ended with the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. The U.S gained Texas and territory to the Rio Grande River. -
Who: The U.S
What: Struck Gold
Where: In California
When: 1848
Why: The first sighting of gold at Sutter's mill in California caused a mass immigration. Once news broke out of gold being in California people started migrating west from all over the country. This caused a population boom and made way for new technologies to be created. The manufacturing industry for mining machinery was at an all time high. -
Who: Henry Clay
What: Settling Issues with slavery
Where: US senate
When: 1850
Why: The compromise if 1850 was a group of bills that solved disputes over slavery. It admitted California as a free state, solved boundary lines between Texas and New Mexico and even introduced a new law called the fugitive slave act. This act allowed for runaway slave to be seized and brought back to their owners. It also gave consequences to those who helped them escape. -
Who: Stephen Douglas
What: Proposed a bill to organize the territory of Nebraska
Where: Senate
When: 1854
Why: The Kansas-Nebraska Act, Introduced by Stephen Douglas, organized the territory of Nebraska by dividing it into two territories. It also outlawed the Missouri Compromise -
Who: The Homestead Act
What: Gave adult heads of families 160 acres of land
Where: In the Western territories
When: 1862
Why: The Homestead Act gave the adult heads in families 160 acres of land to move west an cultivate the land. They offered families to live there for a minimal fee. The family could live on this government land for up to five years and afterwards the original owner could gain back the property.
You are not authorized to access this page.