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Northwestern Ordinance
The Northwestern Ordinance was signed on July 13th, 1787. This ordinance did not necesarily open the Western Frontier to settlers, however, it did open the land to future settling. The Ordinance allowed for states to be formed from territories with a high enough population. This made the lands west of the Mississippi much more attractive to prospective settlers. -
The Louisiana Purcahse
The Lousiana Purchase made the Northwest Ordinance, once again, useful. But on this Frontier, settling was a whole new ball game. The Louisiana territory was vastly unexplored. Settlements ran the risk of being bombarded by Indians, animals, and bandits. This new Frontier was a dangerous opportunity not for those light-at-heart. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
This expedition was chatered by then President Thomas Jefferson. It was headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Their official purpose was to find the best water trade-route to the Pacific Ocean. They mapped hundred of miles of river; however, they did not find a clear route to the Pacific. What they did find was new information which allowed for future settlement and exploration of the region. -
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View of St. Louis
Leon Pomarede painted this piece sometime between 1832 and 1835. He meant to capture the city's expansion and successfully did so. -
The Great Westward Migration
The Great Westward Migration was characterized by wagon trains and pioneers. Though the foundations of the Oregon Trail had been laid as early as 1811, 1843 marked the first annualy mass exodus by settlers utilizing the Oregon Trail. In the coming years, over 400,000 people would make the journey west via the Oregon Trail. -
Annexation of Texas
On December 29th, 1845, the Republic of Texas was finally annexed as the 28th State of the United States. This opened even more land to be settled by Americans. -
The Gold Rush
Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill causing an influx of people California. This marks the beginning of the Gold Rush. -
Mexican Cession
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican War with ultimate agreements of borders and cession of Mexican territory to the United States. -
The Gadsen Purchase
The Gadsen Purchase aquires more land for the United States and finalizes a border with Mexico. -
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
The Kansas-Nebraska Act is the last major land act establishing territory in the continental United States. This opens a large-straight plane for settlers. The continental United States Territoy was nearly complete at this point. -
A Tight Fix--Bear Hunting, Early Winter
Painted by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, very controversial in its time. -
The Backwoods of America
Painted by Jasper Francis Cropsey in 1858, this piece was meant to foreshadow the end of frontier life.
