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Signing of the Treaty of Paris
This treaty officially established America's independence. The Americans sent a delegation to Paris consisting of Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. This peace agreement established the land we know of today! -
The Land Ordinance of 1785
This law divided the lands of the Ohio Valley and made it available for sale. This particular ordianance influenced many Americans to broaden their land and travel westward. -
Northwest Ordinance
This ordinance affected how state would be made once people moved westward. There were 3 Stages before a state could become statehood. -
Cotton Gin Invention
With the invention of the cotton gin, cotton became a very important staple crop, due to fast production. So the Americans were land hungry to grow more cotton plants, causing them to search westward! -
Pinckney Treaty
This treaty gave Americans the right to travel down and out the Mississippi River, also it gave the Americans the disputed area of Florida. -
Louisiana Purchase
America bought Louisiana from France, expanding their territory greatly, for around $15 Million dollars. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
President Jeffereon sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore new territory that was recently purchased. They traveled all the way to the west coast, opening up new possibilities for settlement in the west. -
"Ohio Fever"
Cheap land fueled the urge for Americans to move westward. Nine frontier states had joined the original 13. -
Trail of Tears
President Andrew Jackson authorized for complete Indian Removal. Militaries rounded up Indians and forced them westward. The most important of these were the Cherokee, who were forced to walk from their Georgia home to Oklahoma. -
The Lone Star Rebellion
Texas and Mexico battled, they won at the battle of San Jacinto. This opened up the opportunity to annex Texas into the United States. However, it didn't happen right away. -
Oregon Fever
America and Britain settled in Oregon side-by-side peacefully. "Oregon Fever" struck the Americans and many traveled via the Oregon Trail towards there. -
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
This treaty established the boundary between Maine and Canada. It ended the non violence confrontation of the Aroostook War, and in the end they made a compromise. -
Oregon Treaty
This treaty gave America Oregon which was roughly split on the 49th parallel with Britain. This set the boundary for the state that would soon to come. -
Pioneer Day
Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter Day Saints, led all the Mormon Pioneers from New York all the way to Utah. Utah was their Zion, the Holy Land. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico ceded to the United States. It entailed that America would soon be able to bring the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah -
"Californy Gold"
At Sutter's Mill in 1848, goal was discovered. This caused a slew of "Fourty-Niners" to flock here, in search of riches to make a bountiful life. However, the riches were made by selling what was needed, not finding gold... -
Gadsen Purchase
James Gadsden was sent to Mexico to work a deal for the land. The Gadsden Purchase bought the southern chunk of present Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million. -
Homestead Act
This act let Americans have 160 acres of land for free West of the Mississippi River. This was given to farmers who did NOT own slaves. -
Alaska Purchase
America bought Alaska for 7 cents an acre from the Russian Empire. Russia was scared that Britain would steal Alaska, so they sold it. -
First Transcontinental Railroad
This was the first railroad built that traveled from East to West. This gave the opportunity for people to travel and for goods to be shipped easier. Resulting in more settlemnt for the West!
